A Celebration of Life for Tony Shaddix, age 62, of will be held on Sunday September 20, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at Bethel Baptist Church (South) with Bro. Stanley Green officiating. A committal service will follow in the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 until service time at 3:00 P.M.
Anthony Lynn “Tony” Shaddix was born on August 28th, 1964, at Anniston Memorial Hospital in Anniston, AL. Growing up, Tony lived with his father, Jerry Shaddix, his mother Helen Black-Shaddix, and sister Ramona Shaddix. Starting as a teenager, he lived with his grandfather, Coleman Shaddix, and his grandmother, Grace Sprayberry-Shaddix. He attended Helena Elementary School for some of his younger years of schooling, and he attended Saks High School where he graduated as an honor student in the top ten of his class. Growing up, he loved to play baseball, and his love for the outdoors started to blossom. He worked hard to pay his way and earn a bachelor’s degree in from Jacksonville State University in Biology. He lived and used his degree in several ways at various places until he started to work for the State Department of Transportation in Montgomery, AL as an Environmental Biologist. He deeply enjoyed his work here retiring from the DOT after at least thirty years. He married his wife, Kathleen Gortney-Shaddix, on May 6th, 1995, at Bethel Baptist Church, where his memorial will be. After getting married, Kathy and Tony moved to live in Alexander City, AL and then on Lake Martin before residing mainly in Montgomery, AL. Kathy and Tony had their only child, Gracie Lee Shaddix-Joachim, on August 7th, 2001. Tony was a wonderful husband and dad. One would always see him being at his daughter’s sporting events as a fan, supportive dad, coach, or line judge. Tony was an amazing provider to not only his family, but also to so many other people. People have said that Tony never met a stranger and that he would give the shirt off his back to help anyone. People knew him as an outgoing, hardworking/determined, caring, and loving person. He had a God-given gift of making people, loved, special, important, and as his friend. Tony loved Alabama sports (“Roll Tide”), his red Chevrolet truck (known as the “junk truck” ha), coffee, and the simple things of life. He was just a simple man. He absolutely loved being outdoors, especially hunting or fishing. He was a huge risk-taker in saving animals from in the road or being his frugal self to grab change in the road or to pick up other people’s trash as his treasure. In his retirement, he was a wonderful caregiver to his father-in-law and his wife. Often, you would see Kathy and Tony riding the roads going to places like the Wetumpka Downtown Park by the Coosa River or any Burger King. Tony was a servant, and his character reflected his love for the Lord. His unexpected death puts lots of us at a loss for words, but his family and friends will always remember, cherish, love, and miss him dearly until we see him again in Heaven.
He is survived by his wife; Kathleen Gortney Shaddix of Banks, his daughter and son in law; Gracie and Kaven Joachim of Troy, his father Jerry Shaddix of Munford, and his sister Ramona Shaddix of Roebuck and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his mother; Helen Black Shaddix.
Flora offerings will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to either Bethel Baptist Church or Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville is in charge of the arrangements.
