Mildred "Millie" Witt Caudle

It was the fall of 1946 in the sleepy collage town of Athens, Alabama. The children still got out of school in the fall for cotton picking on the family farm or to make a little money for the county fair. Things were about to change.

A little 16 year old girl from Belmont, Mississippi was coming to Athens to attend Athens College. At the very same time, the Cecil Gregg family was coming to Athens for Mr. Gregg to be the principal of the Athens Elementary and Junior High Schools. The Greggs brought with them Mrs. Greggs parents; Leeander Caudle and their WWII veteran son Ford to attend Athens College on the Veterans GI Bill. Ford and Mildred became friends and were married in the late 1940's.

Mildred graduated with a degree in history and began teaching in the Limestone Schools at Elkmont and Clements High Schools while working on her Masters degree at Vanderbilt and Peabody College. After she received her Masters degree, she took a history professors job at Athens College and began work on her Doctorate at the University of Alabama. She was later made the Head of the History Department, a position she held until she retired.

She was very interested in the history of Athens and Limestone County and was instrumental in establishing The Athens Historical Society and the three historical districts. The society developed rules for maintaining the original historical look of the homes and businesses from the street.

Mildred saved the College Inn Restaurant and Gulf Station where she had many burgers and Cokes while she was in college. It was moved to East Street and became the home of Keep Athens Beautiful.

Mildred became interested in the General Joe Wheeler Home in Courtland, Alabama and was instrumental in restoring the home and opening it to the public.

Mildred was interested in Athens politics and served two terms on the Athens City Council.

Mildred was passionate about libraries and gave her support both verbally and financially to the establishment of the Athens Limestone County Library in the old Kroger grocery building.

Mildred passed away February 11, 2025 and will long be loved and remembered by friends and family who thank God for her amazing life.

Dr. Mildred Witt Caudle passed away peacefully at a nursing home in Iuka, Mississippi February, 11, 2025. Dr. Caudle was born in Bellmont, Mississippi, Aug. 15, 1930 to Edward Pearl and Zelia Purvis Witt. She had five siblings, Paul, Larry, Carl (deceased), Ruth (deceased), James (deceased).

Dr. Caudle came to Athens, Alabama in the late 1940s to attend Athens College. There she met and married Ford J. Caudle who attended college on the G.I. Bill. After Mildred graduated she taught school in Limestone County at Elkmont and Clements and began work on her Master's Degree at Vanderbilt and Peabody Colleges. After receiving her Master's Degree she was employed by Athens College as a history professor and began work on her Doctorate Degree at the University of Alabama. She later became the head of the History Department and served in that capacity until her retirement in 1990.

Mildred was very active in Athens and throughout Alabama saving and restoring historical sites. She was instrumental in founding Athens Historical Society for preserving the historically accurate condition of Athens historical districts and homes. She was also instrumental in saving and restoring the General Joe Wheeler Plantation and home in Courtland, Alabama. She gave her time and money to this endeavor. Mildred was also involved in Athens city government and served two terms on the city council.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on March 23, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Lucy's Branch off of Snake Road in Athens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Athens State University, Athens Limestone Library or a charity of your choice.