Madeline Fitz Randolph accepting the Robe of Achievement, 1986

Madeline was born, grew up and graduated with a degree in English and Library Science in West Virginia. She later did advanced study in New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Colorado. She was married in 1937 and had six children. She has had an amazing and supportive partnership with her husband in his service as a pastor but also accomplished much in her own right.

Wherever she was Madeline was always involved in music, singing and directing both junior and handbell choirs. She was a writer and wrote for many publications and was active in the church from the local through international levels. She particularly enjoyed working with adolescent youth in camps, as a school librarian, and at pre-conference retreats.

When the Women’s Board moved to Milton, WI, Madeline became an active member focusing her talent for writing on the preparation of program materials under the direction of the board president Caroline Gray. During her later years in Milton she organized and directed a handbell choir in the church which was a first for Seventh Day Baptists.

When she moved to the pastorate in Boulder, the church received a gift of handbells, and Madeline organized and directed a choir of young people which achieved high acclaim in the Denver-Boulder area and in 1967 was invited by General Conference President Dr. Pete May to give daily concerts during program and also in several churches.

She played a major role in encouraging the Boulder and Denver women to bring the Women’s Board to Colorado and served as president for several years. She edited the monthly newsletter, and a number of times special sections on women’s interests for the Recorder.

Madeline was invited by the Missionary Society to spend a period of service working to improve the library at Crandall High School in Kingston, Jamaica.

As president of the Seventh Day Baptist Women’s Board she was on the Executive Committee of the North American Baptist Women’s Union and following her presidency she was elected to a five year term as a member-at-large of that body. In this capacity she represented Seventh Day Baptist women at meetings in Stockholm, Sweeden; Toronto, Canada; The Bahamas; Pittsburgh and Kansas City.

The Board of Education sponsored Madeline as the leader of a writing workshop at General Conference. She and her husband retired in a home close to Camp Paul Hummel where they continued their life at one with nature.