Kathryn Lee Maddux Quarles

Kathryn Lee Maddux Quarles, 89, a long-time resident of Fredericksburg and more recently Charlottesville, passed away suddenly at Westminster Canterbury on Sunday, December 30, 2018.

Kitty was born in Marshall, Virginia on January 18, 1929 to Thomas Henderson and Ida Mae (Schryver) Maddux. She was raised alongside her brothers, Thomas “Tuck” Henderson, III and Franklin “Webb” Webster by their loving parents and an extended family. Kitty’s beloved aunts schooled her in the domestic arts in which she maintained a lifelong interest. She was renowned for her cooking and baking skills, talents with interior design, and most of all for her hospitality. Kitty was devoted to her family and hosted holiday celebrations and reunions that were deeply appreciated.

Kitty and Douglas Earle Quarles, Jr. were married December 22, 1951 in Fredericksburg where they lived for most of their lives and raised their five children. They also traveled extensively and shared an interest in painting. Kitty and Doug welcomed a young student from Mexico into their home before exchange programs were common and that developed into a long-term friendship with his family. He and his siblings are among the many who would say “Kitty was like a second mother to me.”

Kitty was active in the family business, Quarles Petroleum, and served on its board. She was a talented horticulturalist and composed a series of close-up photographs of botanical specimens she encountered on her travels. Kitty shared this interest with others as a member and officer of the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club and the Garden Club of Virginia. She was a charter member of Parnassus Club, a supporter of the Fredericksburg Area Museum, and a past trustee and regent of the George Washington Foundation. Kitty graduated from Stuart Hall School in Staunton, where she served on their board for many years and received their Distinguished Alumni Award. She also graduated from Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA. Kitty was an active member of St. George’s Church for many years.  She was a lifelong learner and her interests included genealogy and family history. Kitty researched and wrote a hardcover book, The History of the Maddux and Quarles Families which was published shortly before her death. 

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Doug; five children Kitty Wafle (Ben), Doug Quarles III (Betsy), Anne Taylor Doolittle (Bob), George Quarles (Marianne), and Bill Quarles (Kathleen); eleven grandchildren Nick Wafle (Danny Asher), Katy Wafle (Sam Hoffman), Molly Wafle, Lacy Briney (John), Doug Quarles IV (Shelby), Betsy Cotten (Randy), Alex Arrivillaga (Sebastian), John Quarles, Will Quarles (Meaghan), Amy Lee Norvell (Adam), and Cynthia Quarles; four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and many dear friends, including special friends Betsy and Jim Greene, whose care and devotion to Kitty and Doug at Westminster Canterbury is deeply appreciated.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 19 at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George's Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 or Stuart Hall School, 235 West Frederick Street, Staunton, Virginia, 24401.