Earlene Gamble Caldwell

EARLENE G. CALDWELL



Saltillo – Earlene Gamble Caldwell, 80, passed away at her home on Saturday, November 18, 2017 after fighting the good fight against Lupus and all its complications. She was born in Baldwyn on November 22, 1936 to Earl and Essie Smith Gamble. She graduated from Baldwyn High School and Northeast Junior College. During her working life, Earlene worked multiple positions at the Peoples Bank and Trust Company in Guntown, Tupelo and Saltillo for over 30 years. She also worked part-time for the former Mayor of Guntown for several years. On June 29, 1959, Earlene married John Earl “Donnie” Caldwell, Jr. He has risen above and beyond through the years and has been the very best caregiver possible, spoiling her with love, respect and admiration. Their type of relationship is hard to fathom these days, in a world of selfishness and hate; it withstood many trials and hardships, but overcame with love and peace that only God could provide. Earlene had a generous heart and was always eager to help anyone in need. She enjoyed cooking for her family, fellowshipping with friends and visiting with the sick and homebound. She was Baptist by faith.



Earlene was such a shining light and a beautiful example of how not to let a horrible disease keep you down. A special thanks to all who have prayed for and loved her through her illness which spanned almost three decades, outlasting any doctor's expectations. The compassion, respect, unwavering dedication and unconditional love of her nurse, Courtney Miles, was a welcome blessing for Earlene and her family.



Survivors include her husband and life partner of 58 years, John Earl “Donnie” Caldwell, Jr. of Saltillo; children, Don Caldwell of New Hope, Pennsylvania and Pam Caldwell Burns of Saltillo; granddaughter, Hannah Nichole Burns of Saltillo; brothers, Charles Gamble (Rebel) of Nashville, Tenn., Milford Gamble (Doris) of Robertsdale, Ala. and Bob Gamble (Earlene) of Green Cove Springs, Fla.; nieces, Pat Gamble Armistead (Theus) of Durham, N.C., Jean Gamble Butts (Brian) of Little Elm, Tex., Teresa Caldwell Williams (Wayne) of Saltillo, Jennifer Caldwell Ezell (Doug) of Saltillo and Cynthia Estell Godwin (Robin) of Booneville; nephews, Rodney Gamble (Becky) of Jacksonville, Fla. and Will Estell (Amy) of Destin, Fla.; great-nieces, Amanda Armistead of Washington, D.C., Lizzie and Sarah Butts of Little Elm, Tex., Suzanne Williams Miller (Adam) of Saltillo, Teri Williams Graham (Tyler) of Saltillo, Mandy Ezell of Guntown, Beth Ezell of Saltillo and Channing Estell of Oxford, Ala. and great-nephews, John Butts of Little Elm, Tex., Gage Godwin of Booneville, Nathan Gamble of Jacksonville, Fla., Blake Estell of Oxford, Ala. and Bentley Estell of Destin, Fla.



She was preceded in death by her parents and nephew, Chuck Gamble.



Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at the Saltillo Chapel of W. E. Pegues with visitation from 1 p.m. until service time. Rev. Dean Warren will be officiating and burial will be in Saltillo Cemetery.