Gloria Jean (Bilconish) Maddox

Gloria Jean Maddox, age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Hurricane, WV after recently battling heart disease.

She was born on November 1, 1942, in Republic, PA, to the late Michael and Helen Bilconish. After graduating from Redstone High School, she attended West Virginia University and finished her degree at California State College in 1964. She carried her strong Czechoslovakian roots and deep love for family with her throughout her life. 

Always interested in dance, she studied in her early years at studios in Pennsylvania and New York. She loved traveling and especially trips to Europe with daughters and grandsons to visit her great-grandparents’ homeland, to Paris with her  high school friends as well as trips to shows in Las Vegas and other US cities with her travel buddies. She enjoyed gardening flowers and produce and enjoyed sharing the fresh vegetables with neighbors and friends - especially known for her homemade zucchini bread, cucumber sandwiches, and black raspberry jelly.

Gloria’s dedication to her family extended to friends, career, and community. She started teaching at Nitro High School before moving on to Hurricane High in 1970. Teaching for over thirty plus years at Hurricane High and Middle schools, she was a favorite biology teacher to many students. Her keen interest in science and creative methodology made her one of the best - always doing fun and inspiring activities with the students with her love of science, compassion, and patience. “Mrs.Maddox” was an ardent Redskin and could routinely be found at sports and music events showing her support. 

Gloria was an active member and officer in Putnam county Democrat Women, 

Hurricane Woman’s Club and Alpha Delta Kappa, international honorary for women educators, as well as a member of the Ascension Women's Club and had served as an Eucharist minister and reader. As an avid reader, she also belonged to two local book clubs.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Joe Maddox; her children, Jeanne (Phil) Columna of Las Flores, California, Joe Maddox of Fairmont, WV, Sherry (Ron) Cole of Cross Lanes, WV; grandchildren Lindsay (Matt) Melander of Minnesota, Kianna (Josh) Ching of California, Cody Columna of California, Kira Columna of Colorado, Indigo (Chris) Geohring of Colorado, Colton Columna of California, Braxton Maddox of Colorado, Braiden Maddox of WV, RC (Ashley) Cole of Texas, and Maddox Cole of WV; nine great grandchildren; and extended family in Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents Mike and Helen; sister Dolores Saylor;  and granddaughter Autumn Cole.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Ascension Catholic Church, 905 Hickory Mills Road, Hurricane, West Virginia, where family can visit from 9:30 a.m. and welcome friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements will be provided by Allen Funeral Home.

Gloria will be remembered for her kindness, her dedication to her family, and the lasting impact she made on the lives of her students, friends, and community. Her legacy of love, learning, and generosity will live on in all who knew her.

In lieu of sending flowers, please honor Gloria by planting wildflowers or plant a tree in her memory. (https://shop.arborday.org/trees-in-memory)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gloria Jean (Bilconish) Maddox, please visit our floral store.