Sara Neal Maddox, 93, of Atlanta, Ga., passed away August 31, 2026.
She was born in Sulligent, Al., in 1933, to the late Edna Neal Bowman and Pete Neal. She attended Sulligent Nursery School, where she met fellow classmate Brooks Wells Maddox, whom she later married in 1958. Sara attended Sulligent Elementary and High School, where she enjoyed her time as a Varsity cheerleader. She received her Elementary Education degree from Howard College, now Samford University, in Birmingham, Al.
Sweethearts since Nursery School, Sara married the late Brooks Wells Maddox II on June 15, 1958. After marriage, she relocated to Atlanta to be with Brooks. Her first teaching position in Atlanta was at Morris Brandon Elementary. Sara loved teaching and had a special way with children and young adults.
She paused her teaching career when she had her two children, Alyce and Wells. Sara enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother and was truly devoted to her family. She was very active in their Elementary School, Woodward Elementary. And when her children began school, Sara became a substitute teacher there. Alyce and Wells always felt comforted when they would catch a glance of her in the hallway.
She had a gentle, sweet spirit about her in everything she did and to anyone she met. You felt fortunate to know Sara because of the consistent Christian manner she approached life with every day. Wherever she was, her Bible was within reach. When you called Sara, many times she would say she was reading Scripture.
Sara had a great impact with the youth of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. She and Brooks were Sunday School Directors for the 7th grade for over 25 years. They were leaders at the annual Camp SPdL, held in Anniston, Al., and influenced hundreds of young people to accept Christ. Sara continued her devotion to Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist, never missing a Sunday until 2025, when she moved into assisted living. She especially looked forward to Senior Outings with her many friends from church.
Sara lived independently at the first home she and Brooks moved into, over 60 years ago. She agreed to transition into assisted living at Montclair in Decatur, Ga., only one year ago. Not surprising, she made many special friends in the short time she was there.
Her memory will live on in the hearts of the many people who loved her.
Sara was preceded in death by her husband, Brooks Wells Maddox II, in 2001. She is survived by her daughter, Alyce Maddox Sarno, and her son-in-law, William Sarno; her son, Brooks Wells Maddox III, and her daughter-in-law, LaLaine Briones Maddox; and her granddaughter, Meagan Lorraine Sarno.
A funeral service celebrating Sara’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. The family will receive friends for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Atlanta, in Sara’s memory.
