Mildred "Millie" Lawrence (Caldwell) O'Neal

Mildred Lawrence (Caldwell) O’Neal, 90, earned her heavenly wings March 8, 2013, in Jacksonville, Florida. Known to her friends as “Millie”, she was born October 30, 1922, in Bartow, Florida. She was the second child of nine born to Pete and Lou Ethel Lawrence. She attended public schools in Bartow, and much to the dismay of her parents, left Bartow at the age of 17, for Orange General Hospital School of Nursing, in Orlando, Florida. She graduated as a nurse in 1944. Soon after, she met and married Fred G. Caldwell, the father of her three children.

The family moved to Jacksonville Beach, Florida, in 1954, where Millie continued her passion for nursing. She was devoted to seeing a hospital built at the beaches, since there was not one at the time. She sat at card tables in front of grocery stores, banks and the post office to secure signatures for a referendum to build a hospital for the beaches residents. The referendum passed, and the Beaches Hospital was opened in 1961. During her tenure in nursing, she served in the following capacities: office nurse for Dr. Hardy Gillespie, obstetrical nurse, OR nursing supervisor (at both Methodist Hospital and Beaches Hospital), before accepting the administrative position of Director of Patient Services (Director of Nursing) at Beaches Hospital. She served in this position for 17 years before her retirement in 1984. In addition, Millie also served on the advisory boards of both The Florida Junior College and The University of North Florida’s nursing programs. She was elected President of the Florida Society of Nursing Administrators, and served on the Florida State Board of Nursing, a position she held for seven years. Her real love and devotion was always for The Beaches Hospital.

Millie was active in many civic and social organizations at the beaches, including the Beaches Lions Club Eye Screening Program, Junior Women’s Club, Coastal Quilt Guild and Community Presbyterian Church.

Following retirement, Millie enjoyed quilting, painting, fishing, golf, traveling, swimming, and playing bridge with her friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her young grandchildren, who were the joy of her life.

Millie was predeceased by her parents, five brothers, two sisters, the father of her children and her second husband. Survivors include her daughters, Nanci Faulkner (Jay), of Neptune Beach, Laura Hyde (Glenn Smith), of Ponte Vedra Beach, her son, Larry Caldwell of Ponte Vedra Beach, and grandchildren Nancy Hyde and Tom Hyde. She is also survived by her remaining brother, Damon Lawrence, of Bartow, Florida and numerous family members.

Her children and grandchildren were proud to be able to care for their earthly angel for the past few years of her aging life and wish to acknowledge the loving care of the following: Niki Hawkins, caregiver for several years and the staff of Beaches Hospital, Life Care Center of Jacksonville and the “loving angels” of Community Hospice, for their round the clock care, notably Norma Asbury.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Monday, March 18, 2013 at Community Presbyterian Church, 150 Sherry Dr. Atlantic Beach with the Rev. Dr. Gabe Goodman officiating.

Memorial contributions to Millie’s memory may be made, in her name, to Community Hospice, 4114 Sunbeam Rd., Bldg. 400, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or to Mayo Clinic Renal Transplant Dept. (reference: John Caldwell) 4500 San Pablo Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32224.