Mildred McDonald Caldwell

Mildred “Micki” McDonald Caldwell, 90, of Tallahassee, passed on from this earth to be with her best friend Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 26, 2015. She was born in Plant City, Florida but spent her youth in the small mining town of Pierce, Florida. Micki graduated from Mulberry High School in 1942 where she was a cheerleader and member of the women’s basketball team. Micki met the love of her life, Bob, at the age of 14 while attending summer Bible School at Mulberry United Methodist Church. After graduation she began work at the Lakeland Food Machinery Corporation in the procurement office during World War II. She later transferred to the Long Beach, California Branch, at the age of 19, with her friend Betty Nipper. After Bob returned from deployment in the Pacific in 1944 he asked her to marry him while he was temporarily assigned to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christy, Texas. They were married May 5, 1945 and she spent the next 22 years as a Navy wife. Bob and Micki embraced their military lifestyle moving and making homes in St. Simons Island, Ga; New Port, RI where daughter Janet was born; Jacksonville, FL; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where Terry was born; Auburn, AL; Patuxent River Naval Air Test Center in MD where Anne was born and Key West, FL. In 1963 Bob retired from the Navy. They made their final home in Tallahassee, where Bob was employed by the State Department of Education 51 years ago. They joined Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church and were members of the Burleigh Law Sunday School Class. They enjoyed class trips to Alaska, Branson, MO, St. Teresa and enjoyed many class events. Micki worked in the Florida Legislature for 20 years beginning as a page mother and then as a microphone switchboard operator in the chamber of the House of Representatives. Micki made friends wherever she went. In Auburn, she raised money for the March of Dimes and had a Brownie Girl Scout Troop. In Maryland, she was a Gray Lady at the Naval Air Test Hospital and was an avid bridge player. In Tallahassee, she and Bob were active members of their supper club for forty years and volunteered for 16 years delivering Meals on Wheels. Every other year, Micki and Bob attended his Flight Squadron reunions all over the United States. Her greatest joy was raising her children and seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always had a reason to celebrate: births, birthdays, christenings, weddings and anniversaries. Her extended family brought her much happiness. It was always a party when all gathered for football games and holidays. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Flossie McDonald, her brothers, Glen McDonald, Talmadge McDonald, Burson McDonald and Paul McDonald; grandchildren Katherine Schroeder and Trap Clark; son-in-law, Robert “Bobby” Clark. Micki is survived by her husband of 70 years, Robert “Bob” Caldwell of Tallahassee; children, Janet Clark of Tallahassee, Terry Caldwell (Cindy) of Lakeland and Anne Schroeder (Hans) of Tallahassee; grandchildren, Lee Anne Lariscy (Anthony) of Ochlockonee Bay, Carson, Susannah and Lilah Schroeder all of Tallahassee, Sarah Caldwell of Panama City Beach and Robert Caldwell III of Lakeland; great-grandchildren, Amanda, Blaze, Cameryn and Dane Lariscy all of Ochlockonee Bay, FL She is also survived by her sister, Mary Durrance (Ken) of Gainesville, brothers, Dellwood McDonald (Ginny) of Land-O-Lakes, Kenneth McDonald of Lakeland and brother-in-law, Roy Caldwell (Marian Ann) of Clemont and many nieces, nephews, and close family friends. A special thanks to some of our caregivers, Michelle McClelland, Princess Montgomery, Avril Wood McGrath and Brittany Graham. Mildred will lie in state Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1700 N Meridian Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32303 and/or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32308. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Mildred McDonald Caldwell

July 26, 2015