Ethel Maddox, age 91, of Rentz, Georgia, passed away on May 5, 2026. Born on August 21, 1934, she lived a long and meaningful life marked by devotion to her family, her church, and all those fortunate enough to know her. Ethel was a woman of strength, warmth, and conviction, and she will be remembered for the loving way she cared for others and the spirited way she lived each day.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Dottie and Eva Fountain Evans, her husband, Earl Maddox, and her sisters, Betty Jean Schaus and Shirley Evans.

Ethel was a member of Rentz Baptist Church. She believed in the importance of being present for the people she loved, and she lived out that belief through her constant involvement in family gatherings, celebrations, and everyday happenings. She always wanted to know what was going on with everyone, where they were, and how they were doing, because staying informed was one of the many ways she showed she cared.

After many years of hard work, Ethel retired from Allen Bradley. She approached her work with the same determination and reliability that she brought to every other part of her life. She was known as someone who would always help when needed, though her help often came with a little advice. Ethel was never afraid to speak her mind, and those who knew her understood that her honesty came from a place of love and concern.

Ethel was passionate, spirited, and loving. She had a personality that filled a room and a heart that remained focused on the people closest to her. She especially enjoyed baking, and her fruitcakes were among the many things that brought joy to family and friends. She found happiness in the simple, meaningful moments of life, especially those spent with family. Her love for gardening became a showcase that everyone enjoyed with tours of their beautiful gardens.

She is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Neal) Clark; her grandson, Matt (Shannah) Peebles; her granddaughter, Tasha (Marco) Newsome; and her great-grandchildren, Megan Spires, Addison Peebles, Tracy Clements, Landon Holland, and Emberly Peebles. She also leaves behind extended family members who she loved dearly. Ethel's family was the center of her world, and she took great pride in staying connected to every part of it.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, May 8, 2026, at Rentz Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Vann officiating. Burial will follow at Dublin Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Friday, at the church.

Pallbearers will be Neil Turner, Charles Coats, Paul Morrill, Gregg Oliver, Benjamin Judd and Jason Fountain.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt 'Thank You" to her loving caregivers and to Georgia Hospice/Milledgeville Office.