Rita Caldwell

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Amory – Rita Marie Hogan Caldwell, 76, became completely healed and started her new life in Heaven on August 19, 2021. A Valentines baby, she was born on February 14, 1945, in Memphis, TN, to the late J.P. Hogan and Frances Catherine Catharina Hogan.

Rita graduated from High School in Memphis in the spring of 1962 and on August 18, 1962, she married the love of her life, Bill Caldwell. Together they were blessed with almost 59 years of marriage, two sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She went to work early, to help her husband support their growing family. Education was important to her and almost 24 years after graduating High School she went back to school and obtained an Accounting Degree in 1986. She always had a strong drive to better herself.

She was a hard worker, who was loyal. She began her career in 1975, where she worked at Amory Garment for over 10 years. Her family said she was very resilient, persistent, and often referred to herself as ”a drill sergeant”. In her younger days, she always made sure her family stayed the course and kept a tight schedule to accomplish many things through life. After she left employment with Amory Garment, she worked over 20 years for Arch Dalryimple as his personal secretary and accountant. Rita was very supportive of her family and husband, and she always put her family first.

Throughout her life, she loved and always trusted God. She knew and taught her kids, that God would carry her and her family through any storm. Her husband Bill, and herself, had a strong bond that can be credited to trials which their Lord had brought them through. She was last active in First Presbyterian Church of Amory, where she was active and enjoyed the fellowship of family night suppers. At one point, she helped create the bulletins for the church and she always pitched in to help on projects.

When she was able, in her free time, she liked to play golf with her best friend Bill and also go dancing. She also liked playing bridge with the ladies groups. Some of her closest friends in life were Natalie Warren and Lee and Dorinda Miller, with whom she had a close relationship. Rita loved to listen to all sorts of music but Country and square dancing competitions really put a smile on her face.

Rita was a precious soul who always lit up a room with her smile. She loved her family with all she had and more than anything, she just liked being with them creating wonderful memories. Her many friends and family will cherish all the love she gave them and she will be forever in their hearts.

Left behind to treasure her memories is her loving husband and best friend, Bill Caldwell, Amory; her sons, Billy Caldwell (Hope), Starkville, Chris Caldwell (Renee), Amory; grandchildren, Hollan Caldwell (Holley), Blake Caldwell , Maria Orr (Aaron), and Eric Mills (Latashia); great grandchildren, Kylie Baugh, Mya Baugh, Kinslee and Ben Caldwell; Georgia Kate Mills; and Ridge Mills; brothers, Ben Hogan (Barbara); sister-in-laws, Helen Hogan and Charlotte Hogan; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.P. and Francis Hogan; brothers, John Hogan and Jimmy Hogan.

A Private Family Celebration of Life Service will be held at 5:00 PM, Friday, August 27, 2021, at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory with Dr. Tom Cheatham officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Hatley. Pallbearers will be Hollan Caldwell, Blake Caldwell, Aaron Orr, Eric Mills, David “Bubba” Newman, and Shane Grant. Honorary Pallbearer will be Scott Parham.

Due to the concerns for the public’s safety, with the Covid crisis, there will be no public visitation or public service – yet the service will be live streamed on the EE Pickle Funeral Home facebook page.

The family would like to offer a special heart felt thank you to all the caregivers who took such special care of Rita.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to be made to Regional Rehab Center of Tupelo, 615 Pegram Drive, Tupelo, MS 38801.

Condolences and memories may be shared with her family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.