Helen S. Caldwell

Helen Sellers Caldwell died at the Springfield, Virginia location of the Aarondale Retirement and Assisted Living Community on Sunday, July 8, 2012 from complications associated with cardiovascular disease and dementia.

She was born in Montgomery, Alabama on Friday, November 14, 1930 to Eldora Edwards and Charles (Roy) Sellers. Helen was a present to her Mother on her 21st birthday. Helen was later joined by her two younger brothers, Charles Edward Sellers and Henry K Sellers.

Helen attended public schools in Opelika from the 1st through the 12th grade, graduating from High School in May 1948. After practical training and intensive study that started in the Spring of 1949, Helen passed the State Board examination in June 1952, and received her license to practice as a Dental Hygienist.

After knowing each other for some ten years, having met in high school in 1943, Helen married Alonza (Lon) Caldwell in Opelika on June, 13, 1953. In September 1953, Helen and Lon set up their first home in Anchorage, Alaska and lived there for one year. During this time Helen also worked for ten months as a Dental Hygienist for the United States Army at Fort Richardson, Alaska. Thus began her duties as a good military Wife, supporting her spouse in his mission, whatever his assignment. For the next three decades, she made it her job to make sure that her family got established in a new home or quarters, and got adjusted to their new environment.

Helen and Lon were stationed at Campbell AFB, KY from 1954 until 1957. While Lon was on temporary duty attending the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, their Daughter – Mary Kay Caldwell was born. Several assignments later, Lon attended the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Their Son -- Stephen Roy Caldwell -- was born there.

In March 1960, Helen and family moved South when Lon was assigned for duty at the Lockheed-Georgia Company at Marietta, Georgia. In December 1962, Helen, Mary and Steve moved with Lon to Rome, New York where Lon was assigned for duty at the Rome Air Materiel Area, at Griffiss AFB. In July 1964 Helen and family returned once again South to Maxwell AFB, Alabama for Lon to attend Air Command and Staff College. This was a good family assignment because Lon remained as a teacher in the Management Division of the College until June 1969.

During the years at Maxwell AFB, Helen worked as a Red Cross volunteer in the Ob-Gyn Clinic at the Base hospital and she also served as the Chairperson of the Air-Evacuation Committee of Red Cross volunteers that met the hospital aircraft which were bringing wounded service personnel back from Vietnam. Helen and her colleagues went aboard the hospital planes and served refreshments to the wounded personnel. Helen got a lot of psychic satisfaction from this service because her youngest brother – Henry -- was serving as an Army Second Lieutenant in Vietnam during part of time she did this volunteer work.

In July 1969, Helen and her family made what was to be their last move while on active duty with the military. They moved into their home in West Springfield, Virginia in August 1969, and have been there ever since. During the first 15 or so years in Virginia, Helen continued her Red Cross volunteer work at the Ob-Gyn Clinic at the Malcom Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.

After Lon retired from the Air Force, Helen traveled with him during the time he worked as an independent contractor and as a staff member of a national association whose job was to plan meetings for the employees of association member companies (from the mid-1980s until 1991). Lon and Helen were also very active with the Georgia State Society and the Alabama State Society, participating in many events over the years – and playing a role in organizing events for the Georgia State Society (including the Cherry Blossom Celebrations). In addition, Helen was active with the Air Force Officer’s Wives Club at Bolling AFB and the Women’s Committee of the National Symphony Orchestra where she worked actively on the Decorator Show Houses. Regarding hobbies, Helen developed her various skills and interests over the decades as she made draperies and upholstered several pieces of furniture, refinished furniture on occasion, read with a passion, and honed her volunteer skills over decades of service.

She was a devoted Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother, and is survived by her Husband, Lon Caldwell; Daughter – Mary Caldwell Schoen and her Husband, Ira Schoen; Son – Stephen Caldwell and his Wife, Susan Caldwell; one Brother – Henry Sellers; and three Grandchildren – Ian Schoen, Delia Caldwell, and Charles Caldwell. She was preceded in death by her Parents – Roy and Eldora Sellers, and her Brother – Charles Sellers. A visitation/reception will be held on Tuesday, August 7 from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Demaine Funeral Home (5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, Virginia, 22151); with the funeral service immediately following at 1 PM. Those wishing to attend the Arlington burial on Wednesday, August 8 should arrive at the Arlington Cemetery Administration Building at 10:30 AM. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at their website or using the mailing address: P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090.