Madge Irene Haggard, 98, of 1119 Griswold, Carthage, Mo., passed away peacefully at St. John's Hospital, Joplin, Mo., Sept. 1, 2008, after a short illness. She was born to Martin Vanburen and Mary Matilda Simmons in Cabool, Mo., on Feb. 28, 1910. She came to Carthage as a young girl and met and married the love of her life, William Franklin Haggard, on June 5, 1929. He preceded her in death. To this union six children were added, Charlotte Cipolla Roe and Catherine Haggard (preceded her in death), Cecil Haggard, Lee Haggard, Nina Haggard Housh, all of Carthage, and Gary Haggard, of the home survives. One brother, Elba Simmons; and one sister, Elizabeth McMasters Skocdopole preceded Madge in death. Other survivors include Madge's 12 grandchildren, Harold Underwood, of Mission, Texas (whom Madge raised), Lynn Zielinski, of San Diego, Calif., Craig Cipolla, of Spring, Texas, John Kevin Roe, of Las Vegas, Nev., Karen Haggard Boden, of Anthony, Kan., Tommy Haggard, of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Lee Ann Haggard Kizzar, of Fayetteville, Ark., Dr. Kelly Haggard, of Springfield, Mo., Lori Housh McFerron, of Neosho, Mo., Amy Housh, Dr. Tracy Housh Layman and John Housh, all of Carthage; 16 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren whom were a source of pride and joy to Madge. Madge was the oldest member of the First Baptist Church, of Carthage, and served as president of the Naomi Sunday school class. She worked for the Carthage School System as a cook at Pleasant Valley Elementary School and for many years she worked for the families and businesses of Carthage, as a housekeeper. She loved baking, cooking and gardening. Madge will live in the hearts and lives of those she touched forever. Funeral services will be held at Ulmer Funeral Home, Carthage, on Friday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m. with visitation at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Internment will be in Park Cemetery, Carthage. Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home, Carthage.
Published in The Joplin Globe from 9/2/2008 - 9/3/2008