Local Florist Anthony Madison Celebrates 70th Birthday, Over 30 Years In Business

Anthony Madison, owner of Madison's Flowers, turns 70 on November 3rd, 2021.

Darren Doyle, story: photos submitted by Autumn Coulter:
Local florist Anthony Madison is celebrating his 70th birthday today with family friends.

Madison, who has been a familiar face to Edmonson County for decades, was born November 3, 1951 and was one of eleven children of the late Everette and Lucille Madison. The Madisons were raised in church with gospel singing being a huge part of their family lives.

At age 15, he stopped in at Marguerite Moody's flower shop to pay a bill for his father and she unexpectedly offered him a job, which started his interest in floral arrangements. After graduating from ECHS in 1970, he married Pam and went to work at Holley Performance where he would remain for the next 17 years, while also singing in various gospel groups.

His first child, Autumn (Coulter) was born Nov 1981, and Pam wanted to stay home and take care of the family. Since he worked long hours that involved travel with Holley, he began to consider going into business for himself.

"One day he thought about getting back into floral design & started a small business in his garage, in Chalybeate," Autumn said. "He only did silk flowers at the time because he could not afford a cooler for fresh flowers. He worried about the success of the business but later on, moved to Brownsville to a bigger home & garage for the growing business."

Anthony standing outside of Madison's Flowers in 1991.

Anthony would move locations two more times until settling at his currently location on South Main Street. Marguerite Moody passed away in 1990 and he then purchased her business & renamed Madison’s Flowers to “Madison’s & Marguerite's” in her honor.

"He has always been a story teller and a talented writer," Autumn said. "He began writing obituaries for family & friends who passed on. This led to countless others who requested he also write their obituaries. To date, he has written hundreds of obituaries and also sang for many funerals."

The Madison Brothers Quartet at a practice.

Autumn said that Madison and his wife have faced several health problems over the years, but family and friends were always there to lend a hand when a hand was needed. He was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD) in September of 2020 which caused him to miss more work, but a successful surgery helped and allowed him to return to work, now at age 70.

"He has had relief from the pain but still struggles with walking at times," Autumn said. "This is why I brag on him so much because he gets up every day and goes to work."

Anthony and his family.

Along with his wife Pam and daughter Autumn (Jessie Coulter), he also has a son, Trevor, three granddaughters: Lexi Cherry, Haley Coulter, and Briley Coulter, one grandson, Tyler Coulter, and great-granddaughter, Audrey Cherry, who is scheduled to arrive in April. He also has a mother-in-law, Beatrice Berry of Louisville.

The family is planning a private celebration in his honor.