Lady Maddux "Maddie" Gambill

Lady Maddux "Maddie" Gambill made her journey to Heaven surrounded by her loving family. The first daughter of Brent S. and Tilley Gambill, Maddie helped teach them the patience of parenting. She joined the Gambill family nine months into their marriage as a graduation gift from law school. She was named Lady Maddux, or Maddie for short, after Brent's favorite baseball player, Greg Maddux. She became the one constant as her parents' professional careers moved them around the country. When Brent traveled for work, she was Tilly’s protecting companion guarding the door for intruders. As they struggled with fertility for five years, she became their comforting companion. When they were blessed to expand their family with children, she became their constant companion sleeping by their cribs and becoming their first live toy. Their memories of Maddie are rich from runs on the beach in Florida to runs in the snow in northern Virginia to walks with friends around their Arkansas neighborhoods. Last night after dinner, Maddie’s time came. Her body failed and within minutes they were saying goodbye as a family. She is gone just as after settling in Richmond; a place they want to raise their family. It is almost as if she knew they'd be okay without her. As the sun rose this morning, she was not there for her morning walk. As they ate a family breakfast, she was not there to catch the food from the children. She is not sleeping in the corner and her toys have not moved. As the day passes, there is something missing in the Gambill home and it seems there always will be. However, heaven gained a wonderful companion who is jogging the beach next to the sea of gold. Rest in peace, Maddie.