A great man of God went home to his reward, after a life of love and dedication to his fellow man. Bro. Elzie Ray Madison was tragically taken from us in a head on collision in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, Wednesday morning, March 6, 2013.
Born in Edmonson County, November 3, 1944, he was one of eleven children born to the home of the late Everette Madison and Lucille Vincent Madison. He left his native home of Poplar Springs and went to Louisville as a teen-ager, where he would make his home for the next fifty years. Making a career as a master hair stylist, he would travel and instruct for Regis Hair Salon and then go on to successfully own his own business, Madison and Friends Salon.
He was married to Dottie Hatcher of Cave City, June 22, 1963. He was saved as a young boy at Poplar Spring United Baptist Church, and answered the call from God to preach his word in 1966. He overcame many health issues with having to have a lung transplant some thirteen years ago, and for the past few years had been in declining health. All of this furthered his faith in his God to help him in his ministry. As a minister, he traveled many miles to spread the gospel, pastoring Barfield United Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia for several years. He had also pastured Servant Valley Church, Lear Hill Church in Indiana and his home church in Louisville, Zion United Baptist Church. Known everywhere for his beautiful singing, he left behind a great legacy for us all.
Elzie is survived by his caring and wonderful wife of 49 years, Dottie Madison of Louisville; one son, Aaron Madison and his wife, Lorri of Louisville; two grandsons, Joshua and Connor Madison of Louisville; three sisters, Gertie Minyard and her husband, Ed of Bee Spring, Martha York and her husband, Paul of Brownsville and Sherry Madison and her companion, Jeff Emberton of Richardsville; five brothers, Gerald Madison and his wife, Alice of Macon, Georgia, Raymond Madison and his wife, Nancy of Louisville, Charles Madison and his wife, Ruby, John Madison and his wife, Carla and Anthony Madison and his wife, Pam all of Brownsville, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joel Kevin and Bro. David Madison.
Bro. Elzie was a member of Zion United Baptist Church, Washington Meredith Lodge 355 F&AM, Highland Park Lodge and a 32nd degree member of the Kosair Shrine in Louisville, KY.
The family will receive friends Saturday, March 9 from 12:00 until 8:00 PM CST at the Patton Funeral Home, Brownsville Chapel; Sunday, March 10 from 12:00 until 8:00 PM EST at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY and Monday, March 11 from 9:00 until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 AM EST at Zion United Baptist Church, Ralston Avenue, Louisville, KY with burial in Lone Hill Cemetery.