In Honor and Memory of the Honorable Governor Lester G. Maddox
Former Governor of Georgia, Lester Maddox, has passed on. It has been almost exactly a year since the last time I saw the
Governor in person. But every time I had the opportunity to talk to the Governor in person it is an occasion that I will
remember.
Meeting with Governor Maddox, Lt. Governor Maddox and citizen Mr. Maddox had something in common. He was the same man,
dealt with his audience with the same respect and consideration regardless of the status that his current position held.
All too often, men who go into politics are corrupted by the temptations and power that is bestowed upon them by their
fellow citizens. This was not the case with Lester Maddox.
In my opinion he is the most underrated Governor of this century in Georgia. His passing is Georgia's loss, but this man
was ready to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and is now with Him. I doubt if many of his detractors will fare as
well on their Day of Judgment which will come.
Our prayers are with Lester's family and his detractors who are in greater need of prayer.
Arrangements for the Lying in State and Funeral of The Honorable Lester G. Maddox, 75th Governor of the State of Georgia
Thursday, June 26, 2003
5:00 - 8:00 pm
The Maddox family receives mourners during an official visitation period at H. M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, Spring Hill Chapel, located at
1020 Spring Street, Northwest, Atlanta.
8:30 pm
The casket of Governor Maddox is borne in Procession from the funeral home to the State Capitol.
8:45 pm
The casket of Governor Maddox is received at the West Door of the State Capitol by the Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor of the State of
Georgia, other State officials, and an honor guard of the Georgia State Patrol. The honor guard bears the casket through the West Door and into the
Rotunda of the State Capitol. The casket is placed on the catalfalque, and a vigil is kept by the Georgia State Patrol and Capitol Police throughout the
night.
Friday, June 27, 2003
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Honorable Lester G. Maddox, former Governor of the State of Georgia, officially lies in state in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. The
first hour of the lying in state period is reserved for members of the Maddox family followed by State officials, dignitaries, and special guests.
The general public is permitted to pay their respects at 9:00 a.m. when the Capitol opens to receive mourners. Citizens should enter through the
West Door (Washington Street) of the Capitol and pass through security checkpoints. From there people should process along the queue toward
the Rotunda. Condolence books will be positioned at various points; guests are invited to sign one of the books.
Upon paying their respects to Governor Maddox, mourners exit through the opposite side of the Rotunda and then exit the Capitol via the North
(MLK), East (Capitol Avenue), or South (Mitchell) Doors.
Hymns are provided by the First Baptist Church Choir of Zebulon, Georgia.
The receiving line closes at 12:00 p.m., although those individuals in the queue will be allowed to pay their respects.
12:30 p.m.
The Honor Guard bears the casket of Governor Maddox out the West Door of the Capitol to the awaiting motorcade. Governor Maddox's casket is
followed by an official mourning party of Governor and Mrs. Perdue, current and former State leaders and dignitaries, and Members of the General
Assembly.
2:00 p.m.
Funeral services for Governor Lester Maddox are held at Roswell
Street Baptist Church, 774 Roswell Street, Marietta.
Scheduled participants in the funeral service include the Honorable Zell Miller, United States Senator; Dr. Ernest Easley, Senior Pastor of
Roswell Street Baptist Church; Judge Charles A. Wofford; Dr. James Merritt, pastor of Snellville First Baptist Church; Dr. Nelson Price, Pastor Emeritus
of Roswell Street Baptist Church; Rev. Lendell Ainsworth, former pastor of North Atlanta Baptist Church; Dr. James L. Adkins, Former Pastor of
North Atlanta Baptist Church; and Rev. Marvin "Doc" Frady, Pastor of Clarksdale First Baptist Church.
Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs.
Participants at the graveside service include the Honorable Sonny
Perdue, Governor of the State of Georgia, and members of the Sandy Springs Masonic Lodge No. 124.
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In lieu of flowers, the family of Governor Maddox asks that donations
be sent in his memory to:
Roswell Street Baptist Church
774 Roswell Street
Marietta, Georgia 30060
The American Heart Association
1685 Terrell Mill Road
Marietta, Georgia 30067
The Lupus Foundation of America
150 Interstate North Parkway Northwest
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
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