Obituary for Matilda L Madison
REV. MATILDA L. ''MAMA'' MADISON
YOUNGSTOWN – Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the New Bethel Baptist Church for Rev. Matilda L. “Mama” Madison, 88.
Rev. Madison was born Aug. 16, 1922, to Monroe and Clara Harris Sr. in Mobile, Ala. She was the 10th of 13 children and was called from her labor here on earth to receive her heavenly reward on Feb. 25, 2011.
Rev. Madison was employed as head cook at Shots Restaurant in Youngstown for 25 years and was the owner in later years for Madison’s Catering Service, while working at St. Luke’s Church for their children and was head cook for St. Edward’s Rectory and head cook at Watkins Christina Academy. She loved and enjoyed her cooking expertise.
She was licensed in 1975 to carry the gospel by the New Bethel Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of L. A. K. Simon, and Rev. Madison was ordained shortly after. Among her many affiliations with the church and community, she was a member of the church’s Stella Bailey Mission, a deaconess and a vibrant member of the Senior Choir.
She was the devoted wife of the late Mr. Isaac Madison Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons, Isaac Madison III (Janice) and Ronald (Deborah) Madison, all of Houston, Michael (Brenda) Madison of Dubai-United Arab Emirates and Earl (Joyce) Madison of Eatonville, Fla.; two sisters, Edwina Bell and Cornelia (Herman) Milligan, all of Mobile; and a host of family friends in her beloved community.
She is survived by 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Isaac Madison Jr.; two loving daughters, Julia C. Lightfoot and Myrtle L. Thornton; a grandson, Terrance E. Haynes; six brothers; and four sisters.
A social hour will be Friday, March 4, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dukes Fellowship Hall at the New Bethel Baptist Church.
Family will receive friends Saturday, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church and at 2237 Elm St.
Arrangements being handled by the F.D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home.