Bennie Beard Caldwell, Sr.

Mr. Bennie B. Caldwell, Sr., was born June 4, 1928 to James “Buck” and Bertie Mae Caldwell in Troy, Alabama.

He later moved to DeFuniak Springs, Florida with his parents and siblings. He was married to the Anna Margaret Jordan Caldwell on June 23, 1956.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. Early in his career he began as a short-order cook, later promoted to Breakfast Cook at the Black Angus Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He later was employed by the Department of the Air Force as a Master Chief. In his twenty-four years working in the Department of the Air Force, he received several distinguished awards:

                January 18, 1982—Certificate of Merit

                April 11, 1984—Certificate of Service for 20 years

September 17, 1986—Sustained Superior Performance Award

                April 10, 1988—Sustained Superior Perforce Award

June 15, 1988—Eglin Regional Hospital Nutritional Medicine Service in Recognition of 24 years of Outstanding Service

                After retirement he worked part-time at the Walton County Jail as a Cook.

He was preceded in death by:

                Wife—Anna Jordan Caldwell

                Parents—James and Bertie Caldwell

                Brothers—Tommy Caldwell and Billy Caldwell

                Sisters—Stella Caldwell and Berda Campbell

                Nephews—Maderson Campbell and Stanley Campbell

Family

Son:                        Benny B. Caldwell, Jr., DeFuniak Springs
Nieces:                    Karen Campbell, Atlanta, Georgia

                                Terri (Kelvin) Johnson, Bonifay, Florida

                                Faye Rancher, Clarksville, Tennessee

                                Sandra (Walter) Jackson

Nephews:               Robert Thomas—DeFuniak Springs, Florida

Christopher (Jeneen) Campbell—Huntsville, Alabama

Sister-in-law:        Mary Mercer Jordan—Fort Walton Beach, Florida

 Crossing Over

Oh, please don't feel guilty
It was just my time to go.
I see you are still feeling sad,
And the tears just seem to flow.
We all come to earth for our lifetime,
And for some it's not many years
I don't want you to keep crying
You are shedding so many tears.
I haven't really left you
Even though it may seem so.
I have just gone to my heavenly home,
And I'm closer to you than you know.
Just believe that when you say
my name, I'm standing next to you,
I know you long to see me,
But there's nothing I can do.
But I'll still send you messages
And hope you understand,
That when your time comes to
across over,  I'll be there
to take your hand.

 Service Information