Geraldine Maddox Crosby

Our beloved, Geraldine Maddox Crosby, age 89, passed away peacefully after a period of declining health on August 28, 2025. She was born on June 14, 1936 in Gorgas, Alabama to parents Tee Maddox, Sr. and Minnie Lee King Maddox. The family later moved to Jasper, Alabama where she attended the Walker County Training School. She married Walter Crosby, Jr. on August 18, 1960 and in 1968 they, along with their children, moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Geraldine began working at the Sears department store in the Briarwood Mall when it opened in 1973 and retired in 1997. She is fondly remembered by many Ann Arbor area residents as the lady who fitted them for and sold them footwear. She loved to narrate the story of how she sold shoes to the musician Prince and his bodyguard. She, not knowing anything about popular music, did not know who he was until after the sale. When her health allowed, Geraldine enjoyed gardening. She was especially proud of the row of beautiful pink peonies, which she called pennies, that she cultivated from a single cutting.

Geraldine has joined her much loved family members including her parents Tee and Minnie Maddox; sisters: Flora, Inez, Wilma and Dorothy; brothers: Tee, Jr. and Timothy; her husband Walter Crosby, Jr.; son, Maurice Dewayne Crosby; and grandson Christopher Glenn Crosby.

Geraldine was a faithful member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for more than 40 years and was a member of the Mother’s Board. She was involved in many church activities including volunteering as a server at the Salvation Army meal program and Alpha House Family Shelter.

Her legacy of love, grace, support, kindness and caring will be cherished forever by her son Terry L. Garner; daughters: Dinella L. Crosby and Reidie D. Neveaux; granddaughters: Alexis (Rae De Vine) Morant and Nicole Neveaux; sister, Rose Maddox Wyne; companion Deacon Edward Bennett; brother-in-law Donald Wine I; nieces and nephews, and cousins; her St. Paul Missionary Baptist family and friends.

A service to celebrate Geraldine’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 9 at 11:00am. Family hour/viewing from 10:00am-11:00am. St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 3630 Platt Road, Ann Arbor, MI.