Frieda Caldwell

MANILA, Ark. — Frieda Park Caldwell, 90, formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2024. She was a loving, intelligent woman who enjoyed her independence and cared for her family.

Daughter. Sister. Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Teacher. Counselor. State Department officer. Businesswoman. She did it all.

Frieda was born Aug. 21, 1933, in Lost Cane, Arkansas, to Sam Fincher and Lorine Veach, local farmers/business owners. She grew up happy on a farm and attended Manila elementary and high school. She graduated from Memphis State and received a degree in English and education.

She married Tom F. Park and continued to teach English while giving birth to three children: Sam, Dana and Britt. These years included living in Portageville and Malden. As the children matured, Frieda went back to school and received her master’s degree in childhood counseling and began a new career in 1965. Frieda continued her education and eventually moved into vocational school counseling at the high school and college levels. She retired while working for the Missouri State Vocational Department in Sedalia.

After retirement, she decided to invest in houses to rent and created FreePark Property Rentals in Cape Girardeau. She married William Caldwell in 2002 and moved to Illinois. Frieda traveled the world, including London, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Spain, Mexico and Belize, along with most of the U.S. states. She loved meeting people and visiting other cultures. Her favorite humorous saying was, “That’s the way the mop flops.” It served her well as Frieda never whined when facing adversity, always seeking ways to move forward with a positive attitude, a sense of grace and a wonderful sense of humor.

Frieda is survived by her children, Sam F. Park of Los Angeles, Dana Park of St. Peters and Britt Park of Wentzville; sisters, Maxine Gammill of Fort Worth, Texas, and Nancy Coleman of Jonesboro, Arkansas; brother, Sammy Fincher of Nashville, Tennessee; and grandchildren, Lance Myer, Christopher Park and Veronica Everly. She also leaves 11 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors from 10:30 to noon Monday, July 22, at Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila.

Funeral service will be at noon Monday, July 22, at the funeral home, with Pastor Kevin Crider officiating. Burial will follow in the Manila Cemetery.

Friends may sign the online guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com.