Helen Maddox Menefee

Helen Maddox Menefee, age 61, passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 10, 2026, of complications following a bone marrow transplant which she underwent as a potential cure for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Helen was born on July 12, 1964, to the late Helen Grant Maddox and William Henry Maddox III, the oldest of their three daughters. She graduated from Mount Vernon Christian Academy and attended Auburn University for two years, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Oglethorpe University.

Helen and the love of her life, John Frederick “Fred” Menefee of Charleston, South Carolina, married in October of 1987 and resided in Decatur, Georgia, where they raised their two children, John Frederick Menefee, Jr. and Helen Grant Menefee.

Helen was known for her kindness, insight and her engaging personality. She found great pleasure in exploring the human psyche as it relates to spirituality in classes and groups both online and in person, and she enjoyed sharing her knowledge with others of a similar mindset and curiosity.

She had a lovely singing voice and found joy in music, particularly performances of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and local choral groups in which she sang soprano. She was a member of the DeKalb Choral Guild for many years and served two years on the Guild's board of directors. She participated in the Northside United Methodist Church Festival Choir, the Threshold Choir and was most recently a member of Collegium Vocale.

Helen had a lively sense of humor. She loved sunflowers, hiking, enjoyed a good game of chess, embraced her spiritual journey and dearly treasured time spent with those she loved.

Helen’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and grandmother. She also cherished her many lifelong friendships. She leaves behind a community of family and friends who deeply loved her.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Grant Maddox and William Henry Maddox III; her beloved sister, Carol Maddox Forrester; her grandparents, Betty McDuffie and William Henry Maddox Jr., and Helen Burney and Walter King Grant Sr.; her uncles, David Wallace Maddox and Alan Walker Maddox.

She is survived by her devoted husband, John Frederick Menefee; her son, John Frederick Menefee Jr.; her daughter, Helen Grant Menefee; her grandson, Bennett Quinton Cox; her sister, Nancy Maddox Clarke and her husband, Marvin Brogdon Clarke, of Gainesville, Georgia; her uncles, Phillips McDuffie Maddox and Walter King Grant Jr., both of Atlanta; her aunt, Constance Grant Goodsell of Atlanta; her brother-in-law, Carlton Montgomery Forrester, and his wife, Kathleen Murphy Forrester; her nieces, Nancy McDuffie Pollock and Lauren Jacqueline Wells and her husband, Cody Vincent Wells; her nephews, Carlton Montgomery Forrester Jr., Henry Grant Forrester, and Brendan Murphy Forrester; her great-niece, Nancy McDuffie Pollock; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

Helen’s family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the extraordinary outpouring of love, prayers, kindness, and support they have received during this difficult time. Your compassion has brought immeasurable comfort.

Helen’s beautiful spirit and love for her family will remain an enduring source of inspiration to all who knew her. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that her love lives on in the lives she touched so deeply. She will be forever loved, forever remembered, and forever missed.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Helen's life on October 16 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Atlanta Botanical Garden Day Hall, 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Winship Bone Marrow Transplant Fund (https://giving.emory.edu/products/winship-bone-marrow-transplant-fund) or the Winship Patient Assistance Fund (https://giving.emory.edu/products/winship-patient-assistance-fund), Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Development, 1762 Clifton Road, Suite 2400, Atlanta, GA 30322.