Madge Clements Fitzpatrick

Graveside funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 5, 2010, in Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, GA, with Billy Gross and Bobby Gross officiating according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, GA.-

Madge was born Feb. 28, 1917 in Buena Vista, GA to State Representative Felton Lafayette and Madge Mershon Clements. Growing up in Buena Vista she spent her days reading and riding her beloved horse Tony. Madge graduated Salutatorian from Buena Vista High School and went on to attend Duke University. After college Madge worked for the Atlanta Journal.

One night her girlfriends were going to a dance and talked Madge into coming with them. She met James A. Fitzpatrick, Jr., an infantry officer, that night and married on September 26, 1943. Before the birth of her oldest daughter, with her husband overseas, she moved back to Columbus, GA. While raising 3 children Madge worked as the Librarian for Clubview Elementary and later was the Secretary to the President of Royal Crown Bottling Co. She was also a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.

A year after the death of her husband, Madge moved to Orlando, FL in 1978. She met a group of friends who played bridge. She loved the challenge of bridge and played quite a bit. Madge became recognized as a Bridge Master.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two sisters, Mary (May May) Chapman and Rose Hunter. She is survived by her three children, Gail Fitzpatrick-Clark of Winter Haven, FL, Madge F. Sutcliffe (Jerry) of Orlando, FL, and James A. Fitzpatrick (Bonnie) of Columbus, GA; six granddaughters, Mershon S. Alexa (Adrian) and Jennifer S. BEall (Hollis) of Orlando, FL, Lauren S. Polfer (Matt) of Mineola, FL, Dawn C. Hosteller (Dan) of Winter Haven, FL, Shelby Fitzpatrick of Atlanta, GA, and Jackie Fitzpatrick of Columbus, GA; great grandchildren, Jordan Gazay, Taylor Gazay, Evelyn San Martin, Elice San Martin, Chloe BEall of Orlando, FL, Matthew Polfer and Casey Polfer of Mineola, FL, Alex Hosteller, Chris Hosteller and Jon Hosteller of Winter Haven, FL; niece, Beverly C. Gross (Bubber) of Columbus, GA; nephew, Bobby Chapman (Tallulah) of Blairsville, GA; great nieces, Mary Carter Gross Wright of Columbus, GA and Mershon Chapman of Cordova, TN; and great nephews, Bobby Gross of Decatur, GA, Billy Gross and Bailey Gross of Columbus, GA.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff and doctors of The Winter Park Towers. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Hospice of the Comforter in Central Florida in memory of Madge C. Fitzpatrick. Condolences may be expressed at www.shcolumbus.com.