Margaret Hames Madden New Orleans, La

Margaret Preston Hames Madden, born February 21, 1923, passed away in New Orleans, LA on October 7, 2014, at the age of 91. She was the daughter of the late William Walter Hames and Lucille Youmans Hames. "Maggie", as she was affectionately called by many of her friends, was graduated with Honors from Winthrop College early in order to marry Henry I. (Hank) Madden in 1944. Upon his passing in 1996 she mourned her loss deeply, but in her words "would survive!" She did just that and continued to be the cornerstone of the family as she always had been. Throughout her life, she loved to travel, play bridge, read, and took great joy in researching her family's history and genealogy. She was the family matriarch for many years and was known to many as "The Christmas Kid" for making Christmas such a loving time at the family home in Jonesville. She would begin wrapping presents for the next Christmas beginning in January and hold tree decoration parties in October. She made those Christmas days and many more the most wonderful they could be for everyone. As a long-time member of the Jonesville Methodist Church, she was a teacher and good steward of the community. She is survived by her three children, Margaret (Peggy) Blazek, Timothy (Timm) Madden, and David (Dave) Madden, her four grandchildren, Margaret (Meg) Grafton, Jonathan Blazek, Lauren Madden, and Sarah Madden, and her great grandchildren, Caleb Grafton, Nate Grafton and Colin Blazek, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry I. Madden, brother Dr. Boyd L. Hames, and sisters Etha Frances ("DD") Littlejohn and Isla Magnifico. Graveside services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 18th, at the Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery in Jonesville, SC, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Jim Ivey. Following the service, all family and friends in attendance are invited to gather at the family home, in Jonesville.