Elaine F. Caldwell

Elaine F. Caldwell COLUMBUS, GA — Elaine F. Caldwell passed away Monday, March 16, at 11:30 at her home. Elaine was born June 12, 1931 in Ogdensburg, NY the daughter of the late Clyde and Dorothy Gray, and the sister of the late Lawrence Gray (wife Joan). She graduated valedictorian from Malone High School in 1948. She received her Registered Nursing degree from Union College in upstate New York. She met her husband, the late Dr. Robert M. Flowers while training at Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. They were married in 1952 and moved to Columbus in 1956.  She practiced nursing in Columbus until retiring to assume full time motherhood. She was widowed in 1980 and married her devoted and loving husband, (Ret) Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, III, in 1983. They have since resided in Midland, Georgia. Among her many civic and community services, she was a long time member of St. Paul UMC where she sang in the choir and taught junior high Sunday School. She was an active member of the Junior League where she played lead roles in the follies. She played a key role in the production of the Southern Cooking cookbook where she developed her passion for gourmet cooking. She was also passionate about education and served in a variety of PTA roles, including President of the Brookstone BPA. She was past president of the Muscogee County Medical Auxiliary. Life interests were many and profound. She was an avid observer of nature, in particular birds. She spent many years attending the Audubon Society's Weekend for Wildlife. She was active with horseback riding and a member of the Midland Pony Club. She enjoyed sports and was a diehard fan, from the Braves, to the Steelers, from Wimbledon to the General's golf, and on to countless little league, high school football and basketball games of her boys. She loved art, music, travel, and flower gardening. She is survived by her husband Lt. General William (Bill) B. Caldwell, III, and her three sons, Thomas M. Flowers (wife Loretta), George G. Flowers (wife Jean), and David L. Flowers (wife Pam), and Bill's children Dana Thor (husband Ed), Lt. General William B. Caldwell, IV, (wife Stephanie), Frederick D. Caldwell, Theresa C. Burton (husband Charlie), and Fontaine C. Jenkins (husband Jack). Her loving grandchildren are Eleanor C. Flowers, Grace G. Flowers, Mary Frances Flowers, Elizabeth E. Flowers, Robert M. Flowers, George G. Flowers, Jr., Sarah K. Flowers, John David Flowers, and Thomas E. Flowers; Christina Cece (husband Sam), Theresa Eaton (husband Jeff), Kathleen Weiss (husband Jon), Dana Caldwell, Julie Caldwell, Will Caldwell, Anna Katherine Caldwell, Hudson Caldwell, Ricky Caldwell, Adele Caldwell, Tiffany Burton, William Jenkins, Jack Jenkins, and Sutton Jenkins. She is also survived by her inlaws Mary Ann and Edward Neal, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at the home of Lt. General Caldwell on Tuesday, 4-7 p.m. at 7200 Warm Springs Rd, Midland, GA. The funeral service will be at First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Columbus Hospice, the Childrens Miracle Network, or the Georgia Nature Conservancy.