Obituary of Willia M. Donaldson

Willia M. (Ludy) Maddox Donaldson, 70, of Bridgeton passed from this earth to glory on Monday, August 5, 2019.

She was born to Zettie L. Rozier and James Maddox, Jr. on April 28, 1949 in Deland, Florida. In 1950, she moved to Bridgeton, NJ where she resided until her passing. She also resided briefly in Swainsboro, GA from 1983 to 1984.

Willia was educated in the Fairfield Twp. and Bridgeton school systems and attended Cumberland County College.

In 1967, she met and married the love of her life, Curtis James Donaldson, Jr. and from their union were born three children, Michael Maddox, Curtis James Donaldson, III and Kimberly L. Donaldson. Willia also raised two other children of a cousin who was deceased, Simon K. Redding and Carla Redding Grace.

During her life, she was employed by several companies; Wheaton Glass Co. in Millville, Anchor Hocking Glass Co. in Salem, Owens Illinois Glass Co. in North Bergen; Rudolf Mickel Co. in Vineland and Bridgeton Junior High School.

After attending the St. Augustine (Greater) AME Zion Church under the pastorage of Reverends, Alfred S. Parker and Kingdom J. Reevey, she joined the church while under the pastorage of Reverend William W. Gray in 1978. In 1990, she was assigned to serve on the Board of Trustees under Reverend John W. Kennedy and in 1992, she was elected as Chairperson under the pastorage of Reverend Dewitt T. Mathis.

Under the leadership of 7 pastors, she served her church in many capacities; member of the choir, Board of Christian Education, Missionary Board, Laity Council and Caribbean Support Board. She represented the St. Augustine (Greater) AME Zion Church as its delegate at the annual convening of the New Jersey Annual Conference.

She leaves to mourn her passing; two sons, Michael Maddox and Curtis James Donaldson, III; a daughter, Kimberly L. Donaldson; a son she raised, Simon K. Redding; her mother, Zettie L. Griffin; eight sisters, Bettye Staples Griffin, Jacquetta (Kenny) Rawls, Geneva Griffin, Shari Gullatt, Colleen Satterfield, Kathleen (Bill) Johnson, Gina (Rob) Dawkins and Roxanne Randazzo; a brother, Charles Maddox of New Haven, CT; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; an uncle, Reverend Claude L. Rozier and aunt, Ola M. Scott; two sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by; her father, James Maddox, Jr.; her grandparents, Walter and Leola Rozier; her brothers, Herman L. Griffin, James Randazzo and Willie Brockenridge, Jr.; her sisters, Elmarie Thomas, Ethel Smalls and Janice Price; a grandson, Christopher Donaldson and her adopted children, Carla Grace, Tameka Grace and Christopher Grace.

Funeral Services will be held at Greater St. Augustine AME Zion Church, 410 N. Pearl Street, Bridgeton on Tuesday, August 13th at 11 AM. Interment will take place at Gouldtown Memorial Park in Farifield Twp. Friends will be received at the church from 9 AM to 11 AM prior to the services. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.