Madelyn Dees Hereford, 92, of Huntsville passed away peacefully on September 4, 2020. She was born on January 17, 1928 in Finchburg, Alabama, one of 5 children born to Muriel and Dennis Dees. Her childhood was spent in the Wainwright, Finchburg, and Monroeville communities of Monroe County. She graduated from Monroe County High as Valedictorian and graduated from Auburn University with a Home Economics degree. After college, she was a high school teacher in Morgan and Madison Counties. In 1950, she began a 65-year, very happy marriage to Clark Hereford. She became an interior decorator and founded her business, Madelyn Hereford Interiors, in 1971. She had a passion for historic homes, antique furnishings, and her many beloved clients. She continued her interior design work until her passing.
Madelyn deeply loved her family, church, and the Huntsville community. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville from 1951 until her death, serving and leading in many areas, including Deacon, the Pre-School Board, Women of the Church Board, Circle Chairman, Bible Study Leader, Adult Sunday School Teacher, Worship Committee Member, and overseeing the renovation of the Gideon Blackburn House. Madelyn served in many community organizations including the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of North Alabama, Antiquarian Club, Women’s Guild of the Huntsville Museum, Symphony Guild, Burritt Museum, Huntsville Literary Association, Friends of the Huntsville Library, Twickenham DAR, the renovation of the historic Weeden Home, Soroptimist Club, and Historic Huntsville Foundation.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clark, and her granddaughter, Laurel Lewis. She is survived by her daughters, Bess Csar (Doug) and Susan Lewis, both of Huntsville, her sons, Clark Hereford, Jr. (Jenny) of Sterling, VA, and Will Hereford (Laurie) of Birmingham, and her grandchildren who she loved and cherished, Josiah Lewis, Madelyn Hereford, Billy Hereford, Faulkner Hereford, Patrick Hereford (Lindley) and Mac Hereford.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8 at Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donating to the First Presbyterian Church, 307 Gates Ave. S.E., Huntsville, AL 35801 (https://fpchsv.breezechms.com/give/online) or the Lincoln Village Ministry (https://lincolnvillageministry.com/your-gift-staging/).
