Dorothy “Dot” Ann (Sims) Caldwell passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 at Cullman Regional Medical Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband Joe “Jack” Jackson Caldwell, her parents Ides and Mabel Sims, her sisters, Clara Campbell and Bertha Jones, and her brother Roy Sims.
She is survived by her sister Lois Cleveland, daughters Linda Jarvies (Frank), Jo Ann Bryant (Leon) and Cindy Hall. Grandchildren: Shelby Niblett (Randy), Jeremy James, Sheila McClain, Jacqueline Knighten, Joe McAlpine (Stacey), Jonathan Latta (Stacy), and Kayla Latta. She never considered any of her “step grands” anything other than her babies. Anytime she spoke of family she would proudly say I have 14 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
She traveled all over the world as a Navy wife. She volunteered at Hanceville HeadStart program for nine years. She was the campus Grandmother to all the teachers and students. She received an award of appreciation from the Cullman Board of Education thanking her for her service. She loved to bowl, sew, cross stitch, and do ceramics. There’s not a time you would show up to her house that she didn’t try to feed you or send you home with food. Cooking for you was her love language. We will all miss the fudge, coconut cake, Christmas candies and most of all the dressing!
She was a faithful member of New Bethal Church of Christ and lived out her trust in God. If she knew you, you would be faithfully prayed for and loved unconditionally. She never met a stranger and always had a smile on her face. If there was a need, she would do anything in her power to meet the need even if it meant giving you the literal shirt off her back or her last penny. That even goes for stray dogs and feral cats. She lived out the greatest commandments given by Jesus in her everyday life. Matthew 22:37 KJV Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:39 KJV And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
As we celebrate her life and how she loved each and every one of us, what a great example and legacy she left with us all. We can honor her most by loving God and loving people.
One last thing, she asked that in lieu of flowers that we pick a family that needs help or make a donation to the Shiner’s or St. Jude’s Hospital in her name. Even after death her love and generosity are still alive.
Arrangements Tuesday Jan. 23, 2024 at Hanceville Funeral Home as follows with a viewing for immediate family at 10:30 a.m. with extended family and friends received from 11 a.m. until 12 a.m. Graveside service only at Bangor Cemetery at 1 p.m.
