Mrs. Diane K. Maddox

Diane K. Maddox, lovingly known as Diane, Mama, Grandma, and GG, was born July 26, 1937, in Kansas City, Kansas to the late William Hussy and the late Mother Anna King. Diane lived a life rooted in faith, service, family, and community. She was fiercely independent—her own woman in every sense—and often joked that her years in the Girl Scouts were the reason she could do just about anything. Whether she was cooking dinner, sewing six little girls the finest Easter dresses in town, organizing at church, running a bank or offering wisdom to anyone who needed it, she approached every task with determination, and just the right amount of humor. She dedicated 35 years to working in banking in Kansas and spent a lifetime as a faithful member of First AME Church, where she sang in the choir, served as a Church Usher and church mother, and lived out her faith every day. For more than a decade, she was also the neighborhood Avon lady. She never met a stranger she couldn’t befriend. Give her five minutes in a room by herself, and she’d leave with five new friends. A quick conversation was never enough when there was a story to tell, wisdom to share, or laughter to spread. She was the beloved wife of Captain Donald W. Maddox, a devoted mother to six daughters, a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren, a loyal sister to four siblings, and a faithful friend to neighbors, church members, and anyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Her grandchildren knew her as someone who led with, faith, experience and a perfectly timed cheeky joke delivered with a knowing smirk. Her laughter could fill a room just as quickly as one of her famous looks could quiet it. Her love for God was evident in everything she did. She could often be heard breaking into hymns without warning and faithfully joined her daily prayer lines right up until her final days. She believed in showing up for others, lending a helping hand. That spirit of generosity became a lasting example for generations of her family. In 2009, because of health concerns, Diane moved to Zephyrhills, Florida, with her daughters Christy and Ann. Florida quickly became home. She loved the sunshine, watching the alligators in the pond behind her house, and spending time with her beloved dogs, Blossom and Angus. She was especially grateful for the caring neighbors who faithfully checked on her, helped with everyday tasks, took the trash out on Tuesdays, and became an extension of her family through acts of kindness. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Captain Donald W. Maddox; and five of her daughters, Deborah K. Maddox- Austin, Vickie Patrice Maddox, Christy Lenae Miller, Kimberly Dawn Maddox, and Donnalisa W. Nicholson. While her family mourns her absence, they find comfort in imagining her reunited with those she loved, gathered around Heaven’s table, watching over the family she cherished so deeply—and making sure no one dares to take her Pokeno board. Diane passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026, in her home in Zephyrhills, Florida, with her loving daughter, Ann Maddox, and granddaughter, Beanca Walker-Roby, by her side. She was 87 years old. Diane leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, joyful service, fierce love for her family, unforgettable conversations, contagious laughter, and a reminder that every neighbor is simply a friend you haven’t met yet. She also loved to travel and often returned to cherished memories of her trip to Africa with her late daughter, Kimberly Dawn. She will be missed constantly, consistently, but the love she gave, the faith she lived, and the laughter she shared will continue to echo through every generation that follows. Diane leaves to cherish her memory: her loving and devoted daughter, AnnDrea Dione Maddox; grandchildren, Adrian Maddox, Greg Allen Miller, Byron Miller, Henry Miller, Cornelius Nathaniel Austin Jr., Beanca Nicholson, Shelbie Nicholson, and Robert Ramkishun; great-grandchildren, Norissa Miller, Mia Miller, Kaya Imami-Miller , Ashlyn Jai Miller, Norissa Miller, Mia Miller, Kaya Imami-Miller, Brandon Walker-Roby, Jr.; and special family member and friend, Sister Cassandra Hussy.

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