Riverside, CA – On Saturday, July 7, 2018 Betty Caldwell, a good and faithful servant, won the good fight and finished the race, not once wavering in her 69 years of steadfast commitment to keeping the faith. Though her body, merely an earthly vessel, lost the fight to sickle cell disease, Betty’s spirit will forever rejoice while she watches over the family she loved so dearly.
Betty was blessed to Wilhelmina Gonzales and Leon Caldwell on August 1, 1948 born in Los Angeles, California. She attended Manual Arts High School before moving to Riverside County to raise her family. Later in life, she continued her educational pursuits studying business at Cal Baptist University. In Riverside, Betty worked as a supervisor for California Children's Services, eventually retiring to spend her remaining days celebrating life with her family and friends.
Every morning, Betty would take her freshly brewed coffee to her room and spend hours interceding for her friends, family and country. During any family tragedies—unexpected deaths, hospitalization due to illness, accidents—the affected party could always rely on Betty gathering the community to send prayers, emotional support and financial resources, when needed. Because of Betty’s diligence to serving her loved ones, an ever-expanding list that included every person she met, many wounded hearts have been restored, many lives have been saved and many have been touched by the awesome healing hand of God.
Betty lives on in the hearts of the children who gave her the greatest joy of motherhood: her five sons, Mario (Tina) Des Vigne, Khallil (Melissa) Zakee, Rick (Gloria) Caldwell, Matthew (Jennifer) Jennings and Michael Jennings; as well as her daughters, Michelle and Tracy Jennings. Michael (Linda) Caldwell and Ronald (Eleanor) Caldwell, Betty's humor-stricken brothers, continue to tell stories of their family's childhood escapades. Betty's legacy as a spiritual leader has been and continues to be observed in the fruits of her 18 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 9 nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins.
Donations can be made to the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California (http://www.scdfc.org/).
A Visitation for Betty will be held Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, July 20, 2018 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, both at Acheson and Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary Chapel, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, California 92504.
A reception is planned following the Celebration of Life Service at the home of Betty Caldwell, 15521 Silver Spur Road, Riverside, California 92504.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AchesonandGraham.com for the Caldwell family.
