Madeleine Jane (King) Yeakley

DECEMBER 13, 1926 to MARCH 31, 2024

Madeleine Jane King Yeakley was born on December 13, 1926 as a result of the union of Thelma Jewel Childress King and Robert Lewis King in Barbersville, Kentucky. Her formative years were spent living on the farm with her family and going to the schools where she played basketball and was a cheerleader for her high school teams. Madeleine was an only child until 1935 when her sister, Fannie Zuella King was born. Their family was complete even as her grandmother, Matilla, lived with them for many years until her passing in 1958.

In October 1942, Madeleine's Dad came to Maryland to find work and brought Thelma and Fannie with him. In April 1943, Madeleine came to Maryland and took a job at Montgomery Wards with all intentions of going to school in the fall to complete her education. But, that did not happen at that time. While at Montgomery Wards, she met a man, James Frankin Yeakley, who swept her off her feet in a hurry and they eloped on June 26, 1943. Within the next three years, Mother and Dad had three children, Lucille, James, Jr. and Charlotte and they settled into raising their family with as much love and support as possible. Together they worked hard and constantly to give the family all the necessities needed and as many wants as possible. Love played a starring role in the family, always. She received her GED later after the children were getting older which helped her with her job promotions through the years. She was a dedicated and hard worker (asset).

Madeleine enjoyed being a mother to Lucille, James, (Barbara), and Charlotte, a grandmother to Jeffrey Michael (Noako) and Kevin Marquis (Kellie) and a great-grandmother to Ryan Michael, Colby Aaron, Lincoln Kaito, and Austen Keina.

Madeleine enjoyed raising her family, sewing clothes for her and her daughters. Many times she would purchase material for her a dress and had enough material to make Charlotte matching dresses to wear to church. Lucille and Charlotte always had her home-made creations to wear to school, as well. Many Christmases, Lucille and Charlotte had new outfits under the tree and we never saw her doing her sewing while we were up. So, she must have stay into the wee hours of the night sewing after we went to bed. We never ran into anyone who had on the same dress, top or skirt, as we did.

Madeleine and James had 35 years of marriage together until Dad passed on Father's Day in1978. She always made sure that Dad was as happy and comfortable during his illnesses in his last years. She never complained nor regret anything that was needed to be done to help her family through their individual times of need for extra love and advice.

Madeleine and James bought their first home in 1952 and in 1953 joined the Brooklyn Heights Methodist Church where they met and enjoyed the company of many friends from the church throughout their life together. Their life was grounded in their faith and they raised the family with those values of faith and positive views shared by their church families. She worked endlessly in many church organizations, such as Brownies, girl scouts, Women's Society of Christian Service, and women's circle, church dinners, and planned and organized the Memorial dinners, as long as she was able. (until she was in her 80s).

They enjoyed playing pinocole with several couples in their friendship circle throughout the years and hosted dinners at their home on New Year's Eve after which, pinocole was played into the wee hours of the night. At midnight the party broke up and everyone went home.

After leaving Montgomery Wards, Madeleine worked for the Maryland State Department of Education for 22 years and retired in March 1988. She has enjoyed many years of traveling throughout the United States (49), not Oregon State though, as well as, many countries (20 or so) outside of the United States. She worked as a volunteer at the Harbor Hospital for 20 years or so and enjoyed talking to the patients prior to their surgeries. This skill helped to calm the patients before their surgery, a lot. She helped distribute Meals on Wheels for 16 years and enjoyed these services to assist in the community.

Madeleine was predeceased by her husband, James, her parents, Thelma and Robert King, her sister Fannie and her brother-in-law M. Perry Hudson. She is survived by her children, Lucille, James (Barbara), and Charlotte, her grandchildren Jeffrey (Naoko) and, Kevin (Kellie) and her great-grandchildren, Ryan and Colby, Lincoln and Austen Rich. Because her sister passed at the age of 39, Madeleine cherished her nieces, nephew, great nieces, and great nephew in a very special way. They were always on our Ocean City vacations with us for the 36 years that we went as their schedules allowed.

Anyone who met and knew Madeleine went away with a feeling of love and joy that was abundant in her life. She was rich with love, family, and friends.

Family requests relatives and friends visit Gonce Funeral Service, 4001 Ritchie Highway, Sunday (April 7, 2024) from 2-6 PM. Funeral Service will be held Monday (April 8, 2024) at Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church at 12 PM, with interment following in Glen Haven Memorial Park. 

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