Mrs. Wilma Barnes Caldwell, age 84, died on March 18, 2018 at the Glenaire Retirement Village after a long battle with cancer. She was born on August 17, 1933 in Harnett County, NC, the daughter of Thomas and Mable Barnes. Wilma graduated from Coats High School on May 21, 1951 and attended East Carolina University. Later, she moved to Raleigh and, while working at N.C. State University, she met the love of her life, Billy Caldwell. They were married on December 18, 1956 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary prior to Bill’s death in August of 2017.
She is survived by her sister Mrs. Laurie Stephenson, three sons, Mark, Eric (Connie) and Brent (Anne), ten grandchildren, Britt (Andrea), Mitch (Liz), Joshua, Dan, Michael, Andrew, Chelsey (Brian), Haley, Tyler (Stewart) and Claire, and three great grandchildren, Emalani, Kawena and Charles.
Wilma had a distinguished career as a Legislative Assistant in the North Carolina General Assembly, culminating as the Legislative Assistant to Senator Ed Warren of Greenville N.C. She retired after more than 18 years of service to the state. Wilma was proud of her work in the legislature but her first priority was always as a wife and mother. She was extremely proud of each of her sons, their families and the legacy she and Bill leave behind.
Wilma was a deacon at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church and served the church in many capacities. She was a humble, loving servant of her Lord. Most of all, Wilma was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, and she will be greatly missed.
A service in her honor will be held March 25th at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church at 3:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 1:30 pm in the Narthex. There will be a private inurnment immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, 110 SE Maynard Rd., Cary, NC 27511, the Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511, or to Hospice at https://transitionslifecare.org/donate/
