Janice Lee Maddux

Janice Lee (Wise) Maddux, the daughter of James Myron Wise and Helen G. (Soloman) Wise was born in Louisburg, Missouri. She was raised attending the Louisburg First Christian Church where she was baptized as a child and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1968. She grew up working on the family farm and during her high school years participated in Cheerleading, Volleyball, Pep Club, Future Homemakers of America, Future Teachers of America, FFA Sweetheart, and served as a class officer. On September 20th,1968 she married John Elvin Maddux at the family home in Louisburg, Missouri. They were married for 56 years and had four children: Jamie, Mindy, Justin, and Lisa. She spent the early years of her marriage staying home with her children where you could always find a pot of chili, ham & beans, homemade chicken and noodles or stew on the stovetop. She baked hundreds of dozens of cookies over the years and during the elementary school years, teachers at Fremont hoped for a Maddux kid to be assigned to their classroom so they would receive the gift of one of her legendary homemade cinnamon tea rings for Christmas. She spent hundreds of hours as the Chevy Suburban shuttle driver to violin, piano, clogging, and swimming lessons and was always there as the family traveled to fiddle contests on the weekends. During the high school years, she was a marching band mom, supporter, and equipment hauler. Years after this season of life, said she could still hear the drums, bells, and tympanies rattle as she drove them up and down the road following the Blue Wave Marching Band. She didn't miss attending a sporting or music event! She was a founding member of the very successful Blue Wave Boosters Monday Night Bingo fundraising program. She loved to sew, create Halloween costumes, and served as a host to all the neighborhood kids as they played outside in the yard. She spent summer months putting up and canning the gallons vegetables that were grown in their garden. She is now free to sew the 1000's of patterns and yards of fabric she collected over the years. She worked as an upholster with her husband and started her career in banking in 1982. She was wonderful at customer service and was known for greeting so many with a welcoming "hey there ladybug." During her tenure, Janice was selected for the honor of being employee of the year. Her wonderful grandchildren were the highlight of her life. She and Elvin found joy attending ball games and watching Carson, Dustin, and Alissa grow into successful young adults. She loved all her nine grand dogs and grand chickens and was the chosen lap to sit in when she arrived for a visit. For the past 30 years she endured pain with a smile on her face and always pressed forward. We can find peace knowing that she is now pain-free and rejoined with her husband Elvin. At the age of 75, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, Janice passed away in her sleep. Janice (Wise) Maddux is survived by her 4 children: Jamie Maddux-Furr (David), Mindy Maddux, Justin Maddux (Elizabeth), Lisa Irvine (Mike) 3 grandchildren: Carson Key, Dustin Irvine, his girlfriend Kaylee, and Alissa Irvine, all from the Springfield area. One sister-in-law: Patty Smith of Huntsville, AL, one brother-in-law Louis Maddux (Jean) of Lebanon, MO, along with several cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives, long time neighbors, and friends. Janice was preceded in death by her husband John Elvin Maddux, her parents James and Helen Wise, and brother James Dale Wise. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, TN of which Elvin and Janice were faithful donors. They always said they were blessed to have four healthy children; this was a charity of choice throughout their lifetime. A private graveside service will be held at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, Missouri at a later date. Please join the family on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 3:30-6:30 for a Celebration of Life at Relics Event Center - Suite E located at 2015 W. Battlefield Road in Springfield, MO 65807. Drop in as your schedule allows. Tribute and Remembrance will happen @ 5:30. Light food and drink will be served.