Lucille Caldwell, 1916-2008

Descendants of Mandi are saddened to announce the passing of Lucille Caldwell, 91, of St. Louis, Mo., on March 1, 2008. Lucille was the wife of the late Elvis Caldwell (JUL 16, 1912 - DEC 23, 2001). Her service was held on Fri., March 7, 2008, 11 a.m., Murchison Tabernacle C.M.E. Church in St. Louis. Arrangements were by Wade Funeral Home.

Elvis Caldwell was the son of Samuel Caldwell (?-1986) and Albertine Williams (1889-1971). His siblings were Samella Caldwell, Minnie Lue Caldwell, Cullen Caldwell (1917-1998), Mattie Bell Caldwell, Alfredia Caldwell, Joe Dennis Caldwell, Richard Caldwell.

They had two children named Marvin Caldwell and Elvis, Jr. Caldwell.

Elvis' mother Albertine Williams was born NOV 1889 in Haywood County TN. She died 1971 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the daughter of Dennis Williams (1862-1947) and Ella Woodson (?-1899). Her siblings were Luevester Williams (1881-?), Jim Williams (1882-?), Minnie Williams (1884-?), Ella Williams (1887-?), Burl Thomas Williams (1888-?), Annie Williams, Rozelle Williams (1893-?), Magnolia Williams (1894-?), Mattie Ester Williams (1896-?).

We ask that you all join us in prayer for the members of the Caldwell family at this loss.

Early Caldwell, Jr 1919-2007

Early Caldwell, Jr.
April 19,1919-November 14, 2007

This year the Thanksgiving season has been tinged with sadness for the Williams-Rivers Family, at the Passing of another elder among the Descendants of Mandi, Early Caldwell Jr.

Early was born on April 19, 1919 in Haywood County Tennessee. He made his transition on Wednesday November 14, 2007 in Gary Indiana where he had lived for more than 30 years.

Early married Celestine Carney in 1951. They had four children named Ronald Caldwell, V-Ester Caldwell, Sisilla Caldwell, and Toni Caldwell.

Early Caldwell, Jr. was the son of Early Caldwell and Minnie Williams (1884-?). His siblings were Joel Caldwell, Veatrice Caldwell, Theola Caldwell, Mattie B. Caldwell.

His mother Minnie Williams was the daughter of Dennis Williams (1862-1947) and his first wife , Ella Woodson (b?-1899). Dennis Willams was the son of of Harmon Williams and Harriet Elizabeth Rayner (1827-1918). Harriet Elizabeth Rayner was the daughter of Mandi Williams.

We had the honor of attending Early Caldwell's funeral (with full military honors) earlier today along with nearly a hundred other family members. The service was very moving and the warmth of freinds and family for the man they called "the Master Story Teller", "Early Bald," "Little Early" and dozens of other terms of endearment was evident throughout the many tributes and remarks.

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The following text is from the obituary produced for the Saturday's Services at Carter Memorial CME Church, 635 West 49th Avenue, Gary Indiana, 46408.

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On Wednesday, November 14, 2007, Early Caldwell, Jr., (the master story teller), went to sit at God's table wit his parents, the late Minnie Williams Caldwell and Early Caldwell, Sr., his sisters Veatrice Brown, Theola Caldwell and Mattie B. Jackson and his brother Joel. He was born on Aril 19, 1919 in Haywood county Tennessee.

Early professed hsi belief in Jesus Christ at an early age, and was an active member of Carter Memoial CME Church until his failing health prohibited him form attending. During hsi early tenure at Carter "Chapel" CME Church he served as Sunday School Superintendant, Sunday School Teacher, Chior member and member of the Male Chorus.

Early served his country in the Korean conflict where he was stationed in the Solomon Islands and recieved an honorable discharge with the rank of Sargeant. Early was the recipient of the War II Victory Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Wrold Conflict Infantryman Badge-First Award, American Defense Service Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II, and the Good Conduct Medal.

After his discharge, Early enrolled in Lane College in jackson Tennessee, where he recieved his BA in History, and went on to become a teacher in the Haywood County School System, where he met his future wife.

With his bride Celestine, he relocated to Mansfield OH, and later moved to Gary Iniana to be closer to his brother Joel. He retired after thirty-three years of employment at the Coke Plant at U.S. Steel.

He leaves to Cherish his memory, his wife of 56 years, Clestine (Carney) Caldwell, one son Ronald (Gary IN), three daughters, V-Ester Caldwell (Coasta Mesa, CA), Sisilla Yolanda Rucker (Gary IN), and Toni Denise (Chris) Grant (Riverside CA), three grandchildren, Juanita J. Caldwell (Las Vegas NV), Vancell V. McClinton (Dubuque, IA), and Taylor B. (Keith) Arnold (Moreno Valley, CA), five great grandchildren, one aunt, Albertha Williams (Stanton TN), five sisters-in-law, Mattie Cannon, Mildred Sweet, Annie Miller, Cosetta Miller and Varah Caldwell, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Interment
Oak Hill Cemetery
4450 Harrison Street
Gary IN

Pallbearers
John Johnson
Anton Titus
Russel Williamson
REginald Carney
Michael Cannon
Troy Washington

Honorary Pallbearers
carlton W. Brown
Joel Caldwell, Jr.
Willie Titus
Jules Carlos
Billy Carney
Charles Hardiman

Nadine Coates Washington

It is with the deepest regret that Descendants of Mandi reports, the passing of one of our family members, Nadine Coates Washington of Saint Louis, MO. We were informed of her illness last week on May 1, 2007. We received the following email from Nadine's daughter, Rachel Washington, at midnight this morning, May 7, 2007.

"Be still and know that I am God..." This was the last verse I shared with mom before she passed days later on Saturday, May 5th. Nadine was a woman of faith and when she prayed for me and for so many others, the scriptures would flow from her heart. Her knowledge of the God and his word gives me peace which passes all understanding. I can rest assured that heaven is still rejoicing in her homecoming. We will also rejoice and celebrate her life this week. Arrangements are not yet complete but we are aiming for the morning of Friday, May 11, 2007.

I will keep you posted as best I can through email. Please spread the word. The family thanks you all for your prayers and please continue to pray for us."

We will continue to pray for the members of the Caldwell, Coates and Washington families as well as all members of the Williams-Rivers Family.