Sula Rambin Caldwell

Sula was born November 22nd, 1934 in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was the daughter of the late Aubrey and Willie (Cox) Rambin. Sula was one of six children, five girls and one boy. She married Manley D. Whaley Jr. on January 30th, 1952 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Five children were born to this union. She later married Ronald “Jake” Caldwell in Mexico on December 25, 1975.

Sula attended Fair Park High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was of the Baptist faith. Although she was employed at various jobs throughout her life, her favorite job was that of nanny to three children: Michael Pearce and Jana Pearce, and later Nicky Brown.

Sula lived most of her life in Shreveport, Louisiana except for 12 years in Atlanta, Georgia. For the last four months of her life, she resided at Lewis County Nursing Home in Canton, Missouri near her daughter Sandra.

Sula was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all kinds of sports on TV, with Atlanta Braves and New Orleans Saints being her favorites. She enjoyed dominoes, bingo and was the Wa-hoo Champion. She loved to travel and especially enjoyed traveling to visit her family. One of her greatest joys was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom called her “Morning”. This began as a result of her favorite greeting to her grandson as she entered his home every morning, saying “Morning”. She was active in her church and participated in the ministries of the church. She loved her church family and her many, many friends. There was a twinkle in her eyes and a smile on her face for everyone. She looked so forward to seeing Jesus in Heaven.

Sula is survived by two daughters: Vickie (Whaley) Mericle and Sandra (Whaley) Gibbs; two stepdaughters Rhonda and Regina Caldwell; seven grandchildren: Mylinda Blackwell and husband William, Omer Butler, James Mericle Jr. and wife Melissa, Joe Henry Mericle, Casey Graves, Spring Lyon and husband Mark, and Carol Lee Robinson and special friend Sara; a sister, Mary Ann Hamilton; a brother, George Barker; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and one great-great-grandson.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband and her children’s father, Manley D. Whaley; husband Ronald “Jake” Caldwell; an infant son, Manley D. Whaley III; a daughter Carol E. Lance; a daughter Belinda “Jane” Shuman; three sisters: Marion B. Bissonnette, Claudia Tubre, and Virginia Chase; and grand-daughter Lyndsey Phillips.

Visitation will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home in Shreveport, Louisiana on Friday, September 2nd, 2016 from 5-7 pm. The funeral will be held on Saturday, September 3rd, 2016 at the funeral home at 10:00 am. Services will be officiated by Brother Tommy Allen, pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church of Shreveport. Burial will be in the Centuries Memorial Funeral Home Cemetery following the service. Honoring Sula as pallbearers will be grandsons James Mericle Jr, Joe Henry Mericle, Dylan Mericle, Mark Lyon, Thomas Gwin, and Troy Waters. Honorary pallbearer will be cousin Everett Rambin.

The family suggests that memorials be made to Lighthouse Baptist Church, 235 Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport Louisiana 71106, or Lewis County Nursing Home, 17528 State Hwy 81, Canton MO 63435.