Laura Virginia (Whipple) Maddux passed away January 17th in Plano, Texas.

Laura was born November 12, 1936, to Marguerite (Friday) Whipple and Lawrence Whipple.  She was born premature and would spend the first year of her life at St. Joseph's Hospital in Kansas City, MO.

Even at that infant age, Laura proved to be a tough little lady and overcame great odds to survive, even when her doctors were unsure, (especially, with limited 1936 medical advancements).  However, she would eventually leave the hospital to be raised on her parent's farms, first in the Hickory Grove area, and later near Rayville, MO.

Laura would often refer to herself as a simple country girl and when she moved to the Ozarks, she called herself a hillbilly.  Both labels, she wore with pride.

Laura was over 50 % deaf in each ear and had a speech impediment.  This would often make simple tasks more challenging.  However, she graduated from Richmond High School in 1955.   She married John W. Maddux, Sr. in 1957.  Laura worked at a Richmond area nursing home before her marriage.  She was a housewife and mother during her children's early years, and later worked at the "Kid's Korner Day Care Center" in Richmond.

Laura enjoyed bowling as a young adult and was on several leagues.  Later in life, she enjoyed reading, puzzles, and visiting with friends and neighbors.  Laura was a lifelong Southern Baptist and devoted in her church attendance.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Richmond, MO, while living there, where she often volunteered in the church nursery, as she had a love for children and a gift for working with them.  She was most recently a member of First Baptist Church in Exeter, Missouri.

In the year 2000, Laura moved away from her hometown of Richmond, to retire to Cassville, Missouri, to be near her eldest son John.  Upon his passing in 2017, she then moved to Dallas, TX, to be near her youngest son, James.

Laura was preceded in death by a brother, Hal-Richard Henry, her parents, her husband, and a son, John W. Maddux, JR.

She is survived by her son, James V. Maddux (David Swenson), of Dallas, TX.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association, or to the National Kidney Foundation.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Graveside service will be held on Monday, January 23, 2023, in Sunny Slope Cemetery, Richmond.  Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond is in charge of arrangements.  Please remember to share your memories of Laura with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com .