Written by: Patricia Fortenberry Maddox

On March 19, 2024, in the early morning hours, Patricia departed this earth as she was called
home to be with her Lord and Savior.

Born on July 7, 1938, in Osyka, Mississippi, “Miss Pat”, as so many know her, was born in a
humble home; her mother always described the hole in their roof as “her room with a view”. It
was a meager start in life. Pat’s mother, Claudia, was a homemaker and her father, Elmo, was a
corn and cotton farmer.

When Pat was a young girl, her family moved to Clarkston, GA. There, she would spend her adolescent years and go on to pursue a degree in nursing from Georgia Baptist Nursing School. After completing her education, Pat married and started a family. In 1980, they moved to Gulf Breeze, FL where she continued raising her children and working as a registered nurse.

In 1995, Pat returned to Clarkston to care for her aging mother. She joined Clarkston Baptist
Church, which is now Clarkston International Bible Church (CIBC), where she felt called to
serve and meet the needs of new refugee families. Thus began the ministry she called Friends of
Refugees. Like “Miss Pat”, Friends had humble beginnings, with a simple bread ministry, clothes
closet, and afterschool homework program. With the formation of the non-profit in 2005 and the
help and generosity of so many, Friends of Refugees has become what “Miss Pat” had always
hoped it would be – a group of loving and gifted Christians who genuinely care for those they
serve.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Elmo and Claudia Fortenberry, and is survived by her
brother, “Sonny” Fortenberry and his wife Carole, sister Jo Driscoll and her husband Dave. She
also leaves behind her children, Leslie Pitts (husband, Johnny), Patti Maddox, Emily Heringslake, and Clint Maddox (wife, Krista), along with 12 grandchildren and 7 great-
grandchildren.

Join us in celebrating the life and service of Patricia Maddox (“Miss Pat”). A Celebration of Life
Service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Clarkston International Bible
Church (CIBC), located at 1000 Rowland Street, Clarkston, GA 30021.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in “Miss Pat’s” memory can be made to Friends of Refugees
(https://www.friendsofrefugees.com) or CIBC (http://www.cibcfamily.com).