Obituary of Juanita Caldwell

Juanita Caldwell, 97, died peacefully at Peak Resources Charlotte on Monday, November 12, 2018. She was born at home on a snowy January 18, 1921 near Mount Holly, NC. Juanita was the younger of two daughters born to Martha (Mattie) Rumfelt Caldwell and Robert McLean Caldwell. Juanita’s 15- year-old sister, Edna, named her baby sister Bennie Juanita in honor of Dr. Benjamin Taylor, the attending physician. Juanita’s parents and sister preceded her in death. Although no relatives survive Juanita, her many friends, neighbors and acquaintances through the years will dearly miss her spirited and spunky companionship. Juanita’s friends may remember how she loved getting to know cats and people, reading her Bible, collecting poetry, dancing to Big Band tunes, listening to birdsong, finding sunflowers, and savoring the seasons in Fourth Ward, especially the golden maple trees in their autumn glory. Juanita’s playful curiosity and spontaneity led her to form many uplifting relationships. As lifelong Methodists, Juanita’s family attended Mount Holly First United Methodist Church and Matthews United Methodist Church.  While she was a Fourth Ward resident, Juanita joined First United Methodist Church in uptown Charlotte.

During the Great Depression times of the 1930s, Juanita’s family became well-known and respected for owning country stores that served their neighbors. Lean years meant the Caldwell family had to relocate several times to Kannapolis, Matthews, and the Charlotte communities of Shuffletown and “Two Points” on Mount Holly-Huntersville Road. Juanita had fond memories of her enduring friendship with the family of Faye “Babe” Bishop, who resides in Mount Holly. Some of Juanita’s favorite times were during her elementary school days in Matthews, NC, where she and Pauline Paxton became best friends. Juanita graduated from Paw Creek High School in May 1939. Sadly, her mother died suddenly that year on the day after Christmas.

Juanita helped her father run the family store and managed customer accounts until his death in 1946, when she moved to Charlotte to share an apartment with her sister, Edna. They lived uptown at the Guthery Apartments, now known as Tryon House. Juanita’s first job in uptown Charlotte was at Hudson Hosiery in the finishing department. She was quickly promoted to the position of Inspector of Odd Lots, a title that made her chuckle with pride as she delighted recalling her adventures in the city.

After Edna married and moved to N. Charleston, SC, Juanita embarked on an independent life guided by her Christian faith and her resolve to be self-reliant. She realized she had an affinity for doing meticulous work and in 1971 made a bold career leap to Charlotte Memorial Hospital (Carolinas Medical Center/Atrium) in the Central Services Department. Her ambition and desire to advance led her to pursue positions at Mercy Hospital and Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital, her last place of employment before she retired in 1983. Juanita was a conscientious and valued member of the health care team. She was responsible for ensuring carts were stocked with critical supplies needed in the operating room, and she quickly learned each surgeon’s preference for specific surgical implements and set up dozens of customized trays each workday.

Juanita moved to the Frederick Apartments in Fourth Ward in 1968 where she happily made her home for 31 years. In the early 1980s, she befriended and adopted a handsome black cat she named Tom, and they enjoyed nearly 18 inseparable years together.  Juanita became friends with Ellen Davis and loved spending time in her home at McNinch House and celebrating Thanksgiving with Ellen's family.

In 1999, the Frederick Apartments were converted to condominiums, and Juanita relocated a few blocks away to Booth Gardens at Fourth Ward Park. She relished her time making new friends until her health concerns necessitated a move in 2012 to Wilora Lake Lodge, now known as Brookdale Charlotte East. Juanita was thankful for all the attentive assistance her caregivers provided to enrich her life.

Following a hospital stay this past winter, Juanita was admitted to Peak Resources for rehabilitation therapy and long-term care. Recently, Juanita’s loving caregivers at Peak Resources were joined by a devoted team from Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region. They were dedicated to providing support in meeting Juanita’s physical, spiritual and emotional needs, ensuring her comfort and enhancing her enjoyment of life every day.

Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 7600 Little Ave., Charlotte, NC 28226 or online at hpccr.org; or to American Heart Association, 128 S. Tryon St. Suite 1588, Charlotte, NC 28202, or online at www.heart.org.

A visitation will be held 11:00-12:30 on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203, followed by burial at Pineview Cemetery in Mount Holly, NC. Pastor Michael Carr of Mount Holly First United Methodist Church will conduct the 1:00 graveside service.