Ruth Philistene Connelly Caldwell

Ruth Philistene Connelly Caldwell, age 85, of Morganton passed away Friday, June 16, 2017 at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care. She was born April 12, 1932 in Burke County to the late Eugene W. Connelly and Mamie D. Fullwood Connelly. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph J. Caldwell; three sons, Roger L. Caldwell, Earl L. Caldwell, and Steven R. Caldwell; a brother, Guary Connelly and a sister Margaret Davis.

Mrs. Caldwell was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she was a member of the spiritual and senior choirs and also the women’s and senior ministries. She was retired from Drexel Heritage Furniture Company and was loved dearly by her family and friends.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Caldwell Jefferson of Upper Marlboro, Maryland and Brenda Caldwell of Conover; a daughter-in-law. Frances Caldwell of Washington, D.C.; two brothers, William E. Connelly of Washington, D.C. and Ted J. Connelly of Morganton; a sister, Mary Elizabeth Jenkins of Morganton; eleven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many other family and friends who loved Ruth.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 11:00 am at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Kennneth B. Falls officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at the Avery-Fullwood family cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Larry Johnson, Eric Caldwell, Sheldon Caldwell, Ralph Caldwell, Shawn Jefferson, Brenden Caldwell, Geron Caldwell, and Jared Harbison.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Bruce Hawkins, Anthony Connelly, Terry Connelly, Greg Caldwell, Danny Caldwell, Trevor Connelly, Jackson Connelly, Christopher Connelly, Sheldon Caldwell, Jr., and Maurice Connelly.

Mrs. Caldwell’s granddaughters will serve as flower girls.

Memorials may be made to: Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church c/o Building Fund, PO Box 776 Valdese NC 28690 or Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Kirksey Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the Caldwell family.