Madelyn Warrick

Our beloved mother, Madelyn Grace Bottorff Warrick, passed away peacefully on July 1 in Beaumont, Texas. Madelyn was born on June 5, 1928, in St. Louis, MO, to Dr. M.K. Bottorff and Elizabeth McGehee Bottorff. After her father completed his residency in St. Louis, the family moved to Lake Village, Arkansas. At the age of 16 Madelyn graduated valedictorian from Lakeside High School and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she was a member of Chi Omega fraternity. Chi Omega continued to be dear to her heart throughout her lifetime and she was thrilled to pass this legacy on to her daughter and granddaughter. In 1947, she married Zeke Warrick during spring break of his senior year at Ole Miss. They lived in “Miss Dolly Faulkner’s” boarding house in Oxford until his graduation in the spring. She always laughed he graduated only because she wrote his senior paper for him. There was always a bit of rivalry during football season at our house. After graduation they moved to McGehee, Arkansas, where Zeke joined the family business. This was their home where they would spend their life together and raise their children.

Madelyn and Zeke loved to travel and were fortunate to have visited many different countries. He was the official photographer. She was the planner and kept meticulous notes of each place they visited. They made many friends throughout their travels and continued to correspond with them. Madelyn was an avid reader and a beautiful writer. These gifts she shared with her children and grandchildren. She loved gardening and tending to her yard. Her love of animals, especially birds, was a great passion. Her church, First Presbyterian, was such an important part of her life and she served it in many different capacities.

Madelyn is preceded in death by her husband, Lester Warrick, Jr. “Zeke”, sister, Sue Schwartz, brother, Dr. Mel Bottorff, and grandson, Alan Bradley Warrick. She is survived by her son Alan F. Warrick and his wife Mary Elizabeth “Boots” of Little Rock, Arkansas, daughter Lynn Burnside and her husband Bruce of Beaumont, Texas, granddaughter Sara Brooke and her husband Terry Hallemann of Beaumont, Texas, grandson Blair Burnside and his wife Margaret of Houston, Texas, great grandchildren Hays and Mary Margaret Burnside of Houston, Texas, and Connor and Keegan Warrick of Manila, Arkansas. Her family was her greatest happiness in life. Madelyn was a true southern lady who will be remembered for her positive attitude, wise counsel and kindness to all. She epitomized her middle name – Grace.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to all of her caregivers at Pelican Bay Assisted Living where she resided for the past three years and to Hospice Plus for making her final days comfortable and peaceful. Cremation arrangements are being handled under the direction of Broussard’s Mortuary in Beaumont, Texas. A memorial service will follow at a later date with burial in McGehee, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 302 North 4th Street, McGehee, Arkansas 71654 or to The Alzheimer’s Association.