Bonnie Maddox

Edna Yvonne Kirberg aka " Bonnie", " Mom", " Bon Bon" Maddox passed away peacefully at her home on April 20, 2020. She is preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Douglas Maddox. Her parents William and Reba Kirberg. Her sisters, Mary Sue Otts, Carolyn Knight, and Joanne Branda. Survivors include her devoted children, Tonita Watt of Avinger Tx. Greg Barnes of Houston,Tx. Bonnie was also a proud Grandmomma to Stuart Watt, Caitlin Watt, Zoe Barnes and Max Maddox. She was also known as "Gigi" to her great grandson George Watt and his sister, Eloise Watt who will arrive in late August. She is also survived by her sister, Jane Carlton of Albany, Ga. as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bonnie was born in Atlanta Ga. on January 31, 1938. She was the youngest of six girls. After graduating high school in Moultrie, Ga. she headed off to Ga. Southwestern. She later transferred to the University of Georgia, " GO DAWGS" and graduated with a BS in Teaching. Fifty years later she went back to the UGA for a class reunion and celebration. Bonnie always said "you are never too old to go to school" and at 50 years of age she went to graduate school. She graduated from the University of Houston Clear Lake with a Masters Degree in Science.

Bonnie retired from Youens Elementary (AISD) as a Librarian. Her years at Youens were spent encouraging every child to explore life and beyond through books. She was a great Storyteller and loved the excitement of reading that she could create. Her peers knew of the effort she exerted to maximize every opportunity to make an impact on the many children she came in contact with. I have heard stories about teachers loving her library as much as the kids. She had many authors and illustrators visit to read to the kids and sign books. Mom worked very hard during book fair week to sell books. It was a huge fundraiser. She was always ecstatic about all of the new books it afforded her to purchase.

Mom was an avid reader outside of the classroom. She enjoyed suspense, fictional, and occasionally she would read a non-fiction book. She loved reading especially at night while she was eating Tootsie Roll Pops. There is no telling how many she ate during a reading session. If the book was really good, she might have eaten three or four.

Anyone that knew mom knew she loved life. She was so much fun to be around and had friends of all ages. She never met a stranger. Mom was a true Southern Belle. She always said " It's better to look good than to feel good". She wore lipstick and mascara everyday and even dressed nice when she worked in the yard. Speaking of yards...mom loved hers. She won "Yard of the Month" and had several honorable mentions. Music made mom feel good. She could be seen dancing around anytime a really good song came on.

Mom had a BIG sweet tooth. I don't think she ever met a sweet she didn't like. Some are here favorites were caramel cake, lemon cheese cake, homemade cinnamon rolls, lemon bars, fudge and the occasional trip for hot doughnuts at Shipley's around 10:00 PM. She had Cheezits, chocolate, and hard candies all round the house.

Bonnie was a member of several political organizations. She loved and supported United States Veterans and the Wounded Warrior Project. She also supported Judicial Watch. Mom was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved her Country, the State of Texas and her community. She was a volunteer for Citizens Patrol. Once a month she would drive around and make sure her neighbors were safe and no suspicious things were going on.

Our mom was a strong woman. She handled everything life sent to her with grace and a smile. You would never know how bad she was hurting because anytime anyone would ask, it was always her standard reply, " I'm fine " with a big ole smile. Mom never put herself first. She always did for her family and animals first. I always said that if I in another life came back as an animal I would want to be hers. She spoiled them rotten.

Mom was a very thoughtful person. She always made people feel good and she complimented everyone. I could go on and on about the wonderful person she was but, in our hearts we will always remember who she is. Our mother, a Sister, a Grandmother, a Gigi, and a wonderful friend that will be missed greatly.

God looked around His garden

and found an empty place;

He then looked down upon this

earth and saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you

and lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful,

He only takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,

He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never get

well on this earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough,

and the hills were hard to climb;

So He closed your weary eyelids

and whispered "Peace be Thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you,

but you didn't go alone,

for part of us went with you,

the day God called you home.