Edward Stacy Maddox, 95, retired attorney and judge, died Friday, May 19, 2006, at St. Bernard Regional Medical Center.

A Native of Harrisburg, he was a graduate of Harrisburg High School and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Between the time he finished school at the University and the time he was admitted to the Bar, he worked for the University of Arkansas supervising the conducting of a delinquent tax survey of Poinsett County.

In April, 1937, he was elected Mayor of Harrisburg on a platform that he would close the gambling in the back rooms of the pool halls and that he would get a sewer system built for the town. He accomplished both of these things during his term of two years, and he did not seek reelection.

From the time of his admission to the Bar, Edward Maddox practiced law in Harrisburg - first alone, then with his father H.P. Maddox and I. M. Greer and later with I.M. Greer and Louis Collier. During these years Edward served as president of the Poinsett County Bar Association, and he also served on the Arkansas Supreme Court Bar Rules Committee.

When his father H.P. Maddox retired, Edward bought his interest in the Poinsett County Abstract Company and worked there many years while continuing the practice of law. In addition to his work in the Abstract Company, he served a term as president of the Arkansas Land and Title Association.

In 1946, Mr. Maddox was presented to the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. by Congressman E.C. "Took" Gathings. At this time, he was admitted to practice before the court

During his career, Edward Maddox served as Circuit Judge of the Second Judicial District. After the completion of his term, he resumed the practice of law in Harrisburg with Rice VanAusdall; and the association continued until VanAusdall's election to the judiciary.

In 1965, Judge Maddox was elected Municipal Judge of Harrisburg and presided in this capacity for 20 years. For several years, he was also Municipal Judge for the City of Trumann. In the late 1970's and early 1980's, he served Poinsett County as Juvenile Referee, commonly referred to as Juvenile Judge.

Judge Maddox was a life long resident of Harrisburg and until his recent retirement to St. Bernards Village, he was an active member of the First Baptist Church serving as deacon for more than 50 years. At the time of his death, he held the record of belonging to the membership longer than any other person in the history of the church, 82 consecutive years. He is well known throughout the state of Arkansas for his dedication to his church and his support of the Baptist work.

In 1994, Ouachita Baptist University conferred upon Edward Stacy Maddox the degree of Honorary Doctor of Laws. He was a member of the board of trustees of that institution for 18 years, retiring in 1988. In 1995, Williams Baptist College, also, conferred upon him the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. He was a member of the board of trustees of that college for 10 years.

Judge Maddox was an original member of the Harrisburg Rotary Club. He served as president and was a consecutive member for more than 50 years. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and in 1989, the Harrisburg Rotary Club conferred upon him its highest honor for community and club involvement by naming him the Outstanding Rotarian.

He was a member of the Poinsett County Library Board for many years, serving as president for several terms. During his service on the library board, a new Poinsett County Library building was built in Harrisburg. He was, also, a member of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce and served as president of that organization.

Judge Maddox was a Master Mason for more that 50 years and a Shriner for over 40 years having served as president of the Northeast Arkansas Shrine Club in 1967. For more than 25 years he was a director of the Bank of Cherry Valley of Cherry Valley Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Kathryn Smith Maddox, his companion of 70 years, and a brother and sister, H.P. Maddox, Jr. and Vivian Ruth Maddox.

Survivors include two daughters, Doris Maddox of Jonesboro and Karen M. Witt of Harrisburg; six grandchildren: Daray Baumgartner, John Patrick Johnson, Eric Deckelman, Heather Harris, Beth Witt and Cassie Witt; eight great grandchildren: Jessica Kanok, Amanda Johnson, Abby Kathryn Johnson, Baylee McClain, Braxton McClain, Allison Harris, Kathryn Olivia Deckelman, and Michael Eric Deckelman; two sisters: Maurine Maddox Sullivant and Virginia Maddox Shepherd both of Jonesboro; nephew and caregiver, Roy Maddox Shepherd, as well as number of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were Monday, May 22 at the First Baptist Church of Harrisburg with Bro. Jerry Kaulser officiating, and Bro. Captain Lovell and Bro. Emil Williams assisting. Interment was in Harrisburg Memorial Park Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Billy Maddox, Dan Maddox, Jim Ed Maddox, Barry Walls, Judge Rice VanAusdall, Tommy Mann and Bobbie Verser.

Honorary pallbearers were Don Morgan, J.S. Walls, Fred Pipkin, Bill Bishop, Glen Turpin, Lorene Faulkner, Clyde Ford, Bob Gene Mills, Ruby Williams, Gilbert Tate, Gene Caplinger, Harrison Johns, Rotary Club, Poinsett Masonic Lodge #184 and the Men's Sunday School Class of the First Baptist Church. Jackson's Harrisburg Funeral Home of Harrisburg was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Harrisburg First Baptist Church, 201 West Jackson, Harrisburg, Arkansas 72432