Helen Kathaleen "Kathy" Burks Maddux was born on October 20, 1933 in Fordland, MO. Throughout her life she was kind, generous, beautiful, and loving. She seemed to know someone—or someone knew her—everywhere she went. Perhaps she just never knew a stranger. She was funny and could also be mischievous. She always hummed along to music. She never missed a trip to the beauty shop and she most certainly never left the house without makeup & perfectly coiffed hair. If you were her family member there's a good chance she called you a "stinkpot" or, when she really meant business, called you by your first and middle names. She moved to Springfield after graduating from high school and met her future beloved husband when he playfully threw a loaf of bread at her to get her attention. They remained best friends until his unexpected death in 1976. She survived a nearly fatal brain aneurysm in 1981 and went on to live 40 more years, a testament to her strength and resilience. In her later years she suffered from Alzheimer's, a painful and devastating disease that robbed her of memories and her identity. Despite all this illness took from her, it never took away her family's endless love for her. Her love knew no limits and her smile traveled miles and miles. We were lucky to have her and will miss her terribly.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her parents, Lorene and Carlos, and a brother, Donnie. She is survived by her children, Carmen (Brad) Stokes, and Rex (Linda) Maddux. She also leaves three grandchildren, Andrea (Jacob Nolen) Stokes, Zachary (Megan Morris) Maddux, and Stephanie (Schamma) Maddux; two brothers, Dwayne (Penny) Burks, and Ed (June) Burks; and many nieces and nephews. Her life, joy, and boundless love lives on in her four great-grandchildren, Eleanor Nolen, Chase, Tyler and Haley.

Private family graveside will be held at Missouri Veterans Cemetery under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.