Mattie Rhee Pugh Figgers

Mattie Rhee Pugh Figgers, affectionately called “Madea,” died at 104 years of age on December 19, 2024, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  Madea was born on November 20, 1920 in Winn, Alabama, one of six children born from the union of Tom and Agnes Pugh.

In 1941, she married James Lee Figgers, Sr., affectionately called “Big Daddy,” and together they raised five daughters and four sons.  Shortly after they were married, they moved to Mobile, Alabama.  Having been a devout Methodist, Madea had a real desire to understand the Bible.  When introduced to Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1949, she began to study the Bible and dedicated her life to Jehovah in 1951 and remained active for over 73 years.  Big Daddy was a Baptist and quartet singer who also became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1953.

Many refer to Madea’s longevity of life as her children’s legacy.  All of her children appreciate her example of dedication and hospitality.  She and Big Daddy entertained many circuit and district overseers throughout her life in Mobile.   Exposing their children to such spiritual association resulted in all of them dedicating themselves to Jehovah and several of their children have been in full-time service totaling up to over 115 years and still counting.  Most of their grandchildren are also dedicated to Jehovah and some are in full-time service.  Big Daddy and Madea put the wheels in motion by introducing their family to putting Jehovah first in their life.

Madea was instrumental in helping many families in Mobile to learn about Jehovah and the Bible’s hope for the future.  In her younger years, she often vacationed pioneered during the summer.  In her later years, Madea could be found cart witnessing and going from door-to-door even if only two to three doors.  She never missed a Memorial of Jesus Christ’s death, made her meetings in person until the COVID pandemic and then attended on Zoom.  She always attended circuit assemblies and regional conventions in person including all three days this past July 2024 in Mobile.

Madea was a seamstress, loved gardening and flowers.  She was known to have a “green thumb.”  She was also known for her delicious homemade cakes.  She was also a serious Bid Whist, Spades and Pinochle card player.  She was known to say, “just one more game” after playing into the early morning hours.  In her later years, she always travelled with her Ipad for her daily text and her spider solitaire card game.

Big Daddy preceded Madea in death in 1979 after a tragic automobile accident, dying faithfully as an elder.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and her six siblings – LC, Clyde, Fred, Rosetta, Annie and Ira, as well as two of her children – Willie and Mattie Rhee.

Madea is survived by seven children:  Agnes Tatum (Willie); Herman Figgers (Sonja); Linda Figgers;  James Figgers, Jr. (Cynthia); Deborah Holmes (Rene); Hattie Hill (Warren) and John Figgers (Dolores).  She is also survived by 13 grandchildren – Tamara Kennedy (Kevin), Tory Tatum; Stephanie Figgers, Willie Figgers, Jr.; Herman Figgers, Jr. (Dawn), Matonia Perez (Joshua), Irvin Figgers; Nikki Figgers, Michelle Figgers], Tiffany Barton (Alexander); Kristan Seymore, Jeremy Hill (Nika); Lyndsey Figgers.  She is also survived by 12 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren; 10 nieces, 4 nephews and a host of cousins.

Our “Old Gray Mare” finally went to sleep resting for a short time before being awakened with renewed strength and vigor!

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