Grace Madison was well on her way to raising three children as a stay-at-home mother when, in her early 30s, she decided to go back to school and pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. After graduating from the University of West Florida, she spent nearly 30 years teaching English in Escambia County, mostly at Tate High School, where she also served as faculty adviser to the school newspaper, the National Honor Society, and the cheerleading squad. At Tate, she met the love of her life and husband of nearly five decades, legendary football coach Carl Madison, with whom she grew older but never grew old. Grace passed away in the early morning hours of January 17, 2021, just hours after celebrating Carl’s 90th birthday.
Grace was born in Texarkana, Texas, on October 27, 1934, and moved to Pensacola in 1967. Her legacy includes thousands of former students whose lives she touched by encouraging them, inspiring them, and giving them the confidence they needed to explore their potential. Since news of her passing began to spread, former students have flooded social media with memories of her as a”wonderful teacher and mentor” who “impacted their lives in the best way possible” and “touched more lives than she will ever know.” She inspired “many a journalist” through her “mentoring and friendship,” and she was “a kind, compassionate, nurturing type of teacher who got the best out of you by positive reinforcement.” One former student captured the thoughts of many when he remembered that Grace “really believed in me and helped me believe in myself. What a wonderful teacher and mentor.”
If you can’t quite remember your high school English teacher, you can stop reading - your teacher definitely was not Grace Madison. Countless former students remember her as “fun,” “delightful,” and “so funny,” and they talk of going to her classroom whenever their spirits needed a lift. “She was caring and open and irreverent and one of the wittiest and most clever people I have ever known,” said one cherished former student and lifelong friend, who was on the newspaper staff early in Grace’s career at Tate. And she loved to share her sense of humor with her cherished friends, including Fann Culpepper, Nester Stanaland, and Sarah Moore.
To the very end, Grace and Carl lived life with the enthusiasm of two children at Disney World. They would jump into their RV at a moment’s notice for an impromptu trip to Las Vegas or Biloxi, where Carl would bet on dog and horse races and Grace would play the slots long after the young folks had gone to bed. Grace was never too tired to attend school plays, recitals, games, you name it - if one of her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren were involved, she’d be there, and her presence would be known. “You go ahead without us,” said Grace and Carl - never.
Grace is survived by her husband, Carl; her children, Carla Rich, Catherine and Brian Halvorson, and Charlie and Charlotte Lemley (Grace was far more of a “mother” than an “in-law” to Brian and Charlotte); stepchildren Becky Madison Boglione, Mark Madison, and Sky Madison and his fiancé, Cathy Whitmore; grandchildren James Rich (and his wife, Lauren), Jessye Halvorson, Christine Lemley, and Genevieve Lemley; and great-grandchildren Jocelyn Rich, Jaxson Rich, and Gemma Rich. She was preceded in death by her mother, Hattie Grace Collins, her brother, Elbert Collins, Jr., and her beloved grandson, Jerrod Rich. She was comforted and inspired by her church, Holy Cross Episcopal, and its delightful priests, the Reverend Robert (Rob) Patrick Dixon and the Reverend Roger Hungerford.
Due to Covid 19 concerns, Grace's services will be postponed. Her memorial service will be rescheduled at a later date. The family wishes to thank you for your prayers and support'.
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