Mooreland Cemetery

Mooreland, Woodward County, Oklahoma

© Billings Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Rita Jo Hall Maddux

January 28, 1939 ~ October 25, 2024

Rita Jo Maddux was born January 28, 1939 in Grove, Oklahoma to Frances Lile and William Hall, and spent her early years with her treasured Grandma Lucy Lile. Frances married Jess Hepner, who adopted Rita Jo on her 6th birthday. The family moved onto the ranch where Rita Jo learned to ride her first horse, Duke, and Rita learned the ins and outs of ranch life.

Shortly after, Rita began piano lessons and quickly developed a love of music. By age 10, she was playing at services, funerals, and special events for small churches across northwest Oklahoma. A talented musician and woman of faith, Rita Jo went on to serve as the pianist at the First United Methodist Church in Mooreland, Oklahoma for nearly fifty years. Her music was a source of light and inspiration to all, and her passion for religious music was a cornerstone throughout her life.

In 1955 Rita Jo married Elmer Leroy Maddux, son of Oren Elmer and Norma Lorraine Maddux, and together they raised three children, Ronni, Nancy, and Dallett. No stranger to hard work, Rita Jo held positions with the Freedom Call newspaper and Oklahoma Nitrogen. To survive a lengthy drought, Rita Jo and Elmer moved to Pueblo, Colorado. Realizing the city life was not for them, Rita and Elmer moved back to Freedom to focus on building their own wheat, cattle and land operation. In 1971, the now successful Maddux Ranch, known for their purebred Charolais cattle, was featured in Top Op magazine, largely due to the management efforts of Rita Jo.

Elmer spent many years in the public eye, serving as a County Commissioner, sixteen years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and myriad other positions of public service, none of which would have been possible without Rita Jo alongside to manage the farm and ranch at home, as well as raise their family.

A true renaissance lady and woman ahead of her time, Rita Jo received her private pilot license in 1973, and enjoyed many hours of leisure flying. She even owned her own Cessna 150 separately from the family airplane she shared with Elmer.

Rita Jo is survived by one daughter Ronni Bambi Poe of Woodward; one son Dallett Lane Maddux, Mooreland; two granddaughters: Kara Ferguson Hensley-Owens and husband Randy Owens, Woodward and Mica Foster Wehlmann and husband Dustin Wehlmann, Yukon; two great-grandsons: Kyler and wife Micah Hensley, Kingfisher and Kaden and wife Katherine Hensley, Woodward; one great-granddaughter Rebecca Foster; one great-great-grandson Holden Hensley; two brothers: Travis Hepner, Freedom and Marvin Hepner, Woodward; one brother-in-law, Roger Maddux and wife Mary Jane of La Junta, Colorado; two sisters-in law Janice Louthan of Woodward and Glenda Allbritton of N. Collinsville; and many other relatives and friends. The family would also like to extend warmest gratitude to Aubrey Cummings and Debbie Butcher for their excellent support to Rita during her health journey.

Rita Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; her daughter, Nancy Pat Maddux; and two brothers-in-law.

She departed this life on October 25, 2024 at the age of 85. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at the Mooreland First United Methodist Church with Dr. Carol Txipama officiating. Interment will follow in the Mooreland Cemetery with the Billings Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Mooreland Methodist Choir with the funeral home accepting the contributions.

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