Truesdell G Madden

Truesdell Grimes Madden (Trudy) of Atlanta passed away on January 12, 2021. She was born February 7, 1934 in Decatur, Alabama and was the daughter of Katherine Truesdell and Allen Park Grimes. She spent most of her young life in Nashville, TN, which she dearly loved. In 1956 she married Bert C. Madden of Nashville and enjoyed over 64 years of being together, mostly in Atlanta.

Trudy attended Ward Belmont School and was in the first graduating class of the Harpeth Hall School in Nashville. She earned a B.S. from Vanderbilt University in 1956 where she was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta. She married shortly after graduation and moved to New York City in 1957 after Bert finished his duty with the U.S. Navy and started his career with Chase Manhattan Bank. They lived in Bronxville, NY and Chatham, NJ and then moved to Atlanta in 1965 upon Bert beginning his career with the Trust Company of Georgia, now Truist.

Trudy was very active in the Atlanta community and belonged to Northside United Methodist Church as well as many civic organizations. She enjoyed volunteering at her children’s schools including chairing the NUMC Pre-School board and serving as the President of the Lovett Mother’s Club. She also served as President of the Cherokee Garden Club where she enjoyed several decades of membership.

Trudy loved people and was a loving supporter of her friends including lifelong childhood friends, those in the Sewing Group, Lenbrook and many other dear relationships near and far. She enjoyed entertaining in her homes in Atlanta and Hilton Head Island and always tried to serve delicious meals along with a good story or two. She loved to garden and arrange flowers from her yard and decorate her house for various holidays and gatherings, especially Christmas. Trudy was also a selfless caregiver, especially for her husband, father, mother and sister. Along with her great sense of humor and infectious laugh and smile, her poetic skills came in handy to celebrate many occasions and people.

Above all, Trudy enjoyed and cherished her family and the time she spent with them. She loved it when they came to visit, especially when they all gathered for “family week” in Hilton Head. She and Bert enjoyed taking great trips around the world of which many included her extended family to places like the Tetons, Europe and Hawaii. She will fondly and lovingly be remembered for her generosity, care, good humor and dedication, genuine interest and involvement in the lives of her friends and family members, especially her cherished husband, Bert. Trudy loved the saying “ I have loved and been loved and all the rest is background music.”

In addition to her husband, Trudy is survived by her three children: Bert Conger Madden Jr. and wife Kelly of Atlanta, Katherine Madden Fuller and husband Tim of Nashville and Allen Grimes Madden and wife Ann of Atlanta. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Katherine (Katie) Madden Sharpton and husband Scott of Nashville, Caroline Madden Duvall and husband Chas of Atlanta, Laura Madden McFarland and husband Reid of Atlanta, Sarah Grace Madden, Allen Wilson Madden and Virginia Truesdell Madden, all of Atlanta. Also, two great grandchildren survive: Charles Frazier Duvall Jr. and Hayes Madden McFarland. Trudy is predeceased by her parents and younger sister, Gretchen Grimes Akin.

A private family service will take place at Arlington Memorial Park on Monday, January 18th at 1:00. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date when circumstances allow. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Northside Church, 2799 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 or The Lovett School, 4075 Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327.