Helen Caldwell

Waynesville, Helen June Bradshaw Caldwell, 89, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2020, at her home.

Helen was the daughter of the late Frank and Ada Morrow Bradshaw.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, J.R. Caldwell, who died in 2017 and one brother, James Bradshaw.  Helen’s career as an educator began in the early 50’s at Crabtree School.  After a few years of teaching in Crabtree, Helen transitioned to Hazelwood School, then East Waynesville School and concluded her career at Junaluska Elementary with 32 years.  For over 60 years, Helen and J.R. were faithful servants at Hazelwood Baptist Church.  Her love and passion for children eventually led to teaching Sunday school for over 50 years, where in 2017, the Hazelwood Baptist Church’s Children Center was named in her honor.  Helen was also a dedicated fan of the Atlanta Braves.  She enjoyed attending games and watching them throughout the season on television.  Helen’s legacy is centered around her unconditional love for her family and friends, especially her beloved grandchildren.

Helen is survived by a daughter, June Valentine, and her husband, Bill, of Sharpsburg, Georgia; a son, David Caldwell, and his wife, Julie, of Waynesville; a sister, Sybil Crawford, and her husband, Don, of Waynesville; a sister-in-law, Anne Ross, of Waynesville; two brothers, Grover Lee Bradshaw, and his wife, Catherine, of Waynesville and Johnny Bradshaw, and his wife, Barbara, of Greenville, Tennessee; two brothers-in-law, Joe Caldwell, and his wife, Doyle and Harley Caldwell, and his wife, Pat, all of Waynesville; four grandchildren, Bradley Caldwell (AnnaLeis), Lauren Caldwell, Alexandra Niedermaier (Ryan) and Erin Valentine; and two great-grandsons, Tate Caldwell and Isaac Niedermaier.  The family would also like to acknowledge and thank Helen’s special friends, Miranda Russell and Joan Letzring for their care and friendship.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Hazelwood Baptist Church with Reverend Tim Lolley officiating.  Burial will follow at Garrett Hillcrest Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior at the church.

For those unable to attend, you can access a livestream of the service at Hazelwood Baptist Church’s Public Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Hazelwood Baptist Church, 265 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Mrs. Caldwell has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.