Louise Elizabeth Caldwell Class of 1947

[Bob]

CALDWELL, LOUISE ELIZABETH - age 83 of Shalimar, FL, formerly of Knoxville and Maryville, TN, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 4, 2012. Born in Olden, TX on January 16, 1929. Louise "Ducky" enjoyed life to the fullest. She graduated in 1947 from Rule High School in Knoxville, TN, and then married Vaughn, the love of her life, in 1948. During her daughters' school years, she volunteered at their school. After they graduated, she began volunteering at local nursing homes in Maryville, TN. The hills of Tennessee were where Louise always called home, and she loved the Smoky Mountains, hiking, camping, traveling, walking the Greenbelt in Maryville, and picnics in Cades Cove. She also loved riding in the golf cart while her husband played golf. She spent countless hours planning coffees, teas, and dinners for her friends and family. In early 2000, Louise was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 71. She faced this challenge like she did with everything in her life. She was a 12-year survivor of cancer because she and her husband never let this disease get in the way of enjoying their time together. During her countless trips to chemo and radiation, they managed to enjoy the 120 mile trip daily by looking for a new restaurant to eat after treatments, or finding a new route to take and enjoy the beautiful coast of Florida. Louise is preceded in death by parents, Robert and Elizabeth Atkins, known to all as Big Daddy and Big Mama; brothers, Charles Bruce, Robert (Bobby) Atkins, Clyde Atkins; sisters, Lillian Mendenhall and Katherine Clifton; and son-in-law, Albert T. Ridge. She leaves behind a loving husband of 64 years, Vaughn K. Caldwell of Shalimar, FL; daughters, Elaine E. Ridge, Shalimar, FL, and Vicki C. Andrews of Lexington, MA; grandchildren, April M. Ridge, Shalimar, FL, Jessica C. Andrews, Lexington, MA, and Richard K. Andrews, Brooklyn, NY; brother, Billy Atkins of Indianapolis, IN and his four daughters; and nieces, Brenda Logan (Charles), and Darlene Potter (Danny). Funeral services will be 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 10, 2012, at Bridges Funeral Home with Linda Bass officiating followed by the interment at Highland Memorial Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made in memory of Louise E. Caldwell to the Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Foundation Fund, 625 Market Street, Suite 1400, Knoxville, TN 37902, or at patsummitt.org In support and research for those battling Alzheimer's Disease. The family will receive friends 11:00-12:00 PM on Saturday at Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com