Marie Caldwell

Marie P. Caldwell, 84, of Waco, former Brownwood resident, passed away December 24, 2006.

The celebration of her earthly life will be Thursday, December 28, at 10 a.m. at the OakCrest Funeral Home in Waco. Interment will take place Friday, at 3 p.m. at the Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood.

She was born March 19, 1922 to Raymond and Hazel (McChristy) Penn in Brownwood. Following graduation there in 1940, she met and married Robert H. Caldwell of Toledo, Ohio. During their 19 year marriage, she lived in many places, including Post-War Germany and Japan. She had a knack for making any place where we lived feel like home.

After our father retired, they settled in Montgomery, Ala., where she worked for Gayfers Department Store. She worked there as office manager and by retirement 30 years later, was known storewide as "Mama Caldwell."

She had a close relationship with her Lord, and worked with the church music department for years. She often sang solos in a beautiful rich, powerful contralto voice. People who knew her later in San Antonio for ten years and in Waco for three years often called her "Sunshine."

She was preceded in death by Robert H. Caldwell in 1960 and Hazel Penn in 1993. Her father died in 1938.

She is survived by her daughter, Dodie Redard and husband, Rod of Waco; son, Robert Caldwell and wife, Ann of San Antonio; seven grandchildren, Danny, Chris, Laura, Andy, Treah, Sarah and Rose; nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

The family especially thanks to Providence Hospice for their wonderful support, Quality Care of Waco for their loving and gentle care of our mother, Dr. L. Canning and his entire staff for the past three years of care, Dr. Ofobuike Okani for his uplifting spirit, and the seventh floor of Hillcrest Hospital for their care.