Thaleta Caldwell

THEBES, Ill. -- Thaleta Genevieve "Babe" Caldwell, 86, of Russellville, Ark., died Monday, July 26, 2010, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. She was formerly of Lebanon, Mo., and Thebes.

She was born Aug. 8, 1923, to James Carroll and Marie Jordan Davis. She married Samuel Dyer Caldwell May 13, 1944. He preceded her in death in 1982.

Babe graduated from Thebes High School in 1941. She worked in the defense industries in St. Louis and Chicago. Upon Sam's retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1960, they moved to Gurnee, Ill. She worked in Civil Service at Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

While in Illinois, Thaleta and Sam were active members of York House Methodist Church. They retired to Lebanon in 1981. She was a member of Lebanon United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She relocated to Russellville in 2007.

Survivors include two sons, Maurice Blaine Caldwell of Russellville, Jeffery Lynn Caldwell of Lindenhurst, Ill.; two grandsons, 1st Lt. Ethan Blaine Caldwell, serving in Iraq, Richard Caldwell of North Dakota; a brother-in-law, Finley Caldwell; two sisters-in-law, Tasoula and Amy Caldwell; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two sisters, Marcella Davis Caldwell, Gloria Davis Sartain; and a brother, Carroll Davis.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time Friday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Brent Gordon officiating. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Thebes.

Memorials may be made to VFW Ladies Auxiliary and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.