James was born to native Alabamians Mary Hughes and Wyley Marcus Maddix. He was one of six children. His father died before 1903 and his mother remarried and subsequently had 8 more children.
During WWI James served as a private in the Quartermasters Corps.

He married Eula Mae Terrell about 1918 and the first of their five children was Samuel, born in May 1919, while they were living in the home of Eula's cousin Addie. That home was on 3rd Street in Anniston, Calhoun Co., Alabama. His occupation was an operator.

He died at the young age of 41 at Forrest General Hospital, just one day after his wife Eula.

*The following was transcribed from microfilm by the memorial creator*
Gadsden Times from Microfilm March 19, 1933 thru Oct 21, 1934 Roll 59 Microfilmed Mary 19 1970

Thomas N Wright, 70-year-old watch repairer; Lee Maddox, filling station proprietor, and his wife are dead as the result of a strange tragedy at the Maddox home on Alabama Avenue Monday night at about 6:30 o'clock.
Wright was shot and killed by Maddox after he had wounded Maddox and Mrs. Maddox. The latter died several hours after the shooting and her husband died at about 1 o'clock this morning.
According to investigating officers, Wright walked into the little store operated by Maddox in connection with his gasoline business just east of the Black Creek bridge and, with a 45-caliber automatic pistol in his hand, demanded that he be given "my money."
Maddox, it was stated by officers, told Wright that he did not know what he was talking about. "I Want my money" Wright said, according to the statement of Maddix to officers, "and I want it quick". I lost $30 in here today. Madix told officers that at the time he made this demand Wright pointed the gun at hi.
"I told Wright that I did not have his money and did not know why he asked me for it." Maddox is quoted as saying shortly after the shooting, "and I also told him that I would give him my own money if he would get out. I turned around and picked up a tin box in which I kept my cash and turned back to face him. He fired at me and the bullet struck me near the heart, I think."
Maddox said that when he was shot his wife called to somebody to call for the police. Apparently this enraged Wright and he turned and fired a bullet into her left breast. O.M. Bonholzer, a customer, knocked Wright down with his fist and Maddox seized a pistol and killed Wright.
Officers said they were told that Wright had been in the store during the day and had made some small purchases.
Police said that Wright shot Policeman John Garrett and George Rutledge in Anniston about eight years ago and that he was himself badly wounded.
Wright leaves one sister, Mrs. J W Wright, of Albertville.
Double funeral services for Mr. an Mrs. Maddox will be held in the Church of God in Alabama City at 10 o'clock Thursday morning. Burial will be in the Alabama City cemetery with Brown Service in charge.
Mr. & Mrs. Maddox are survived by seven children, Samuel, Ruth, Juanita, J. L. Jr, Marie, Leo and Louise. Mrs. Maddox also is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Ola Thompson (Gadsden); Mrs Teresa Fowler and Mrs. Ida Reese, both of Anniston, three brothers, W M Terrell of Guntersville, Jack Terrell of Arab and Cleveland Terrell of Union Grove. Mr. Maddox is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Bowling, a sister Mrs. Wiley ("Shug") Maddix Pruett of Gadsden, Route 1, and the following half-brothers and half sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Newberry, Bud Bowling, Johnny Bowling, Mrs. Grace Erving, Dave Bowling,

*Another family member,Rick Terrell, recounts a slightly different story in which the oldest son, Samuel was also injured, but drove his parents to the hospital. The family was purportedly all home, wrapping Christmas presents. This information was given him directly by two of Ola Thompson's (Eula's sister)daughters.

Son of:
Wyley Marcus Maddix
Mary Francis Hughes Maddix Bowling 1872-1944

Sibling of:
William Henry Maddix (1891-1919)
Oliver James Maddix Sr (1895-1956)
 (m. Maggie May Mitchel -1929)
Wiley Mary "Shug" Maddix Pruitt (1898-1987)
 (m. John Sanford Pruitt 1894-1962)
Gussie May Maddix (1899-1916)


Half-Sibling of:
Grace Bowling Cates Erwin (1902-1973)
Jessie B Bowling (1905-)
Johnnie Bowling (1906-)
John Fletcher Bowling (1907-1972)
 (m. Vera Helen Tomlin 1913-1993)
Gertrude B Bowling Newberry(1910-2011)
(m. T C Newberry)
William Dave Bowling (1911-1952)
Helen Bowling (1915-)
Nettie E Bowling (1927-)

Husband of:
Eula Mae Terrell 1900-1934

Father of:
Samuel L Maddix 1919-1975
 (m. Addie Mae 1914-1971
Tommie Ruth Maddix Thomas* 1923-
Katherine L Maddix* 1924
Mary Juanita Maddix Miller Watkins 1926 - 2007
James Lee Maddix, Jr. 1928-1982
 (m. Melva Mabrey Nance)
Eula Marie Maddix McCormick 1930-1980
 (m. Lumis B McCormick 1915-1999)
Sara Louise Maddix Kimberly* 1932-2007
 (m. J B Kimberly 1922-2003)

* As James Lee and Eula died one day apart at Christmas 1934 the oldest child being but 15 years. The children were all placed initially with their Grandmother Bowling, then dispersed between relatives. If it is known which,or ultimately where, then the placements are noted below.

Tommie Ruth (11 yrs)-sent to live with maternal Aunt Ola Terrell Thompson (on Railroad Ave, Gadsden)

Katherine (10 yrs)-sent to live with paternal Uncle Oliver James Maddix & wife Vera

Sara Louise (18mos) -sent to Church of God Orphanage, Cleveland, TN where she appears on the 1940 census as 8 years old. There are 49 listings, 3 are workers the other 46 are children. Juanita Maddox 14 (residence in 1935 -Gladson, AL ?Gadsden), Marie Maddix 9 (residence in 1935 AL), Sara Louise Maddix 8 (residence in 1935 AL) Everyone in the orphanage is listed as WF (white female)

All information contributed herein is accurate to the best of my knowledge and ability to ascertain. Please contact me at [email protected] regarding family questions or comments.

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