Madeline “Madge”‘s Obituary Madeline Bass “Madge” Fleetwood, 93, formerly of Hopewell Road, Edenton, NC, died on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, surrounded by her family. Born in the Rocky Hock community of Chowan County on February 16, 1925, she was the daughter of the late John Quinton “Jack” and Elizabeth Smith “Lizzie” Bass. After graduation from Chowan High School in 1943, she entered Norfolk General Hospital School of Nursing as an Army Nurse Cadet.
Following graduation in 1946 and the release from her Army obligation as the war had ended, she worked for one year at Foundation Hospital which became Ochsner Clinic (later Ochsner Medical Center) in New Orleans. Upon her return from New Orleans, she met Tom, the love of her life. After their marriage, they settled on Hopewell Road in the Bethel community.
Mrs. Fleetwood was a member of Bethel Baptist Church for more than 60 years and active in community affairs. She was employed by Chowan Hospital for almost 40 years as a staff nurse and nursing supervisor. She was probably the last surviving RN that worked at all three county hospitals, namely the US Marine Corps Base Hospital, Old Chowan Hospital, later converted to the B Unit, and the current Vidant Chowan Hospital.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Thomas Wilson Fleetwood, Sr.; an infant son; three brothers, Linwood, Murray, and Howard Bass; and by two sisters, Blanche Herrin and Dorothy “Dot” Brickle. Surviving are her daughter, Elizabeth “Betty” Gaydica and husband, Stephen, of Southern Pines; two sons, Thomas “Tommy” Fleetwood, Jr. and wife, Kim, and James “Jimmy” Fleetwood and wife, Karen, all of Edenton; seven grandchildren, Keith and Brian Gaydica, Thomas “Wil” Fleetwood, Justin Fleetwood, Lindsey Fleetwood Luks, Chad Fleetwood, Allison Fleetwood Cleve; and eight great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staffs of Edenton Primetime, Amedisys Hospice Care, and the home caregivers who enabled Mrs. Fleetwood to live at home for so many years.
A service of remembrance will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in Bethel Baptist Church, and will be conducted by the Rev. Greg Owenby and Dr. Deneen Glasco. A private burial at Beaver Hill Cemetery with family members will precede the service.
Friends may join the family for a time of visitation and a luncheon in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 794 Burnt Mill Road, Hertford, NC 27944. Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.
millerfhc.com.
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