Madeline (DeFord) Windham

Madeline DeFord Clark Windham, age 80, resident of Oakland, TN, and wife of Mr. Jerry E. Windham, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2018, at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, TN. Madeline was born on July 10, 1938, in Stevensville, MI, to the late Victor DeFord and Berneice Dill, and she was a graduate of Stevensville High School.

Madeline is survived by her husband of 27 years, Jerry Windham of Oakland, TN; two daughters, Janice McMorris (Len) of Boise, ID, and Sandy Becker (David) of Bartlett, TN; six grandchildren, Jackie Wilson (Dave), Karla David (Brian), Ryan McMorris (Jessica), Matthew Pierce (Kela), Joshua McMorris, and Matt Becker; great-grandson, Myles Pierce. She also leaves her sisters, Glenda Willis of Asheville, NC, and Bonnie Zitta (Bill) of St. Joseph, MI; nieces Vicki Blevins (Greg), Jenine Kling (Tim), Beth Schueneman (John), Sheree Little (Jeff), Becky Gardner (Norm), Kathy Baunack; nephews Bill Baunack and Rick DeFord (Linda), and many treasured great nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her former husband, Larry Clark; her brother and sister-in-law, Donald DeFord (Virginia); her nephew, Jack Baunack, and her precious life-long friend, Tom Kubath.

Madeline adored being with her family, and she was also dedicated to serving the Lord. She sang in the choir, was an active greeter, arranged for the weekly flowers in the sanctuary, sent letters of welcome to church guests and cards to members of the congregation, and so many other acts of service. She proudly shared with her daughters recently that she was a founding member of her church in Oakland. She served beyond the church walls on Relay for Life teams and at Fayette Cares, as well as volunteering in an elementary school reading program. For many years, she served faithfully on numerous teams in the Great Banquet community and locally on the Beautification Board in Oakland. She was passionate about service and her love of Jesus shined onto everyone. And if her smile didn’t brighten your day, surely her hugs did! She loved to travel, birdwatch, particularly hummingbirds, and pamper each of her much-loved dachshunds! She was known for her sweet, kind, and giving nature. She will be missed.

A memorial service for Mrs. Windham was held at 6:00pm Friday, December 7, 2018, at Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland. Pastor Don Parks was the officiant.

Memorials may be directed to Faith United Methodist Church, Salvation Army, or St. Jude.