Bonnie Sue Maddox

Bonnie Sue (Caldwell) Maddox of Little Mountain, South Carolina, tragically and suddenly passed away on February 22, 2023. Bonnie was born to Elizabeth Glover in the tiny town of Notomine, West Virginia on August 10, 1935. It was clear from the beginning that Bonnie was not one to be pushed around. She told the story of a time she and her twin sister, Connie Lou, had a bike stolen from them when they rode to the local movie house. When Bonnie found out who stole the bike, she went straight up to that kid and stole it right back. She could not abide a bully or a thief. Bonnie graduated from East Bank High School in East Bank, West Virginia in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart, Keith Allen Maddox, in 1954 (while he was in the Navy) and welcomed their only child, Cynthia Ann, in 1956. She always knew she wanted a better life than her childhood and found that life with Keith. Because of his time in the Navy and career with IBM, they moved around a lot and got to experience life in Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey and California until Keith retired. Then they moved to North Carolina and finally settled in Little Mountain, South Carolina in 2015 to be near their family. Bonnie was a gifted artist. She had the rare knack of finding beauty in almost everything and could translate that onto her paint canvas. She won many awards for her paintings over the years. Her favorite medium was watercolor and she could make those colors sing. She was able to do anything she set her mind to including wood carving, stained glass work and pottery. Not to mention, she once took apart an entire piano to repaint it orange (much to her daughter’s chagrin). Her love of art and her talent lives on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bonnie was smart, spunky, beautiful, brave, strong, independent, fun and loving. These are all words used to describe her by those who knew her and were blessed to be in her life. She loved her family and would spend hours playing cards or coloring with her great-grands if they asked her to. She became a volunteer with Chapin We Care Center, the local food pantry in Chapin, SC and made cherished friends there while finding a new passion to serve in her community. Bonnie was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Keith Maddox and sister, Toni-Jo Murphy. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Rego (Paul); grandchildren, Brian Rego (Elizabeth) and Michelle Rego; great-grandchildren, Juniper Rego, Noah Rego, Rowan Rego and Estella Rego. She is also survived by her twin sister, Connie Eads (Charles), sister-in-law, Maxie Oliver (Jim), nieces, Keith Anne Ream (Jeff), JoEllen Bartko (Dr. A.K.), nephews, Mark Eads, Connor Murphy, grand-nieces, Carly Ream, Kristi Ream, Allison Bartko, Kathryn Bartko and grand-nephew, Brett Bartko. The loss of her life has devastated her family and she is greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Service to be held to honor her life at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, 101 E Boundary Street, Chapin SC 29036. Interment to be held at 3:00 PM at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percial Road, Columbia, SC 29229. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chapin We Care Center, P.O. Box 491, Chapin SC 29036. South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.