Thelma Caldwell

October 7, 1932 to May 23, 2024 - Our beloved mother, Thelma Caldwell, passed peacefully in her sleep on May 23, 2024, after suffering heart issues. She was 91 years young.

Thelma Vivian Brown was born October 7, 1932, in Dickson, Tennessee, to Carl and Essie (White) Brown. At 16 she moved to Omaha, Nebraska to help her brother and sister-in-law with their large family. It was there she met the love of her life, Russell Caldwell. They married in 1950, and in 1956 with their two young sons in tow they moved to eastern Oregon, where two daughters were added to their tribe. In 1975 they settled in Gresham, Oregon and celebrated 54 years of marriage prior to Russ’s passing in 2005. Thelma stayed in their home for the remainder of her life.

Thelma had an unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, and a great admiration for all of God’s creation. She was a long-time member of East County Church of Christ, and more recently at 160th Church of Christ.

Thelma was a member of the Gresham Grange where she managed the flea market for 25-30 years, and it gave her much joy. Collecting became a passion of hers, especially toys, which is what kept her young at heart. She greatly loved her flea market vendors and customers where she made many lifelong friends. Thelma will be dearly missed by all her friends and family.

Survivors include her children, Russell Caldwell Jr (Jeri), Kenneth Caldwell, Shannon Vincelli, and Carol Stewart (Don), six grandchildren, one great grandchild, one sister Beulah (Brown) Tyler, and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, six brothers, and one sister.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at 1pm on Saturday, August 17th, at East County Church of Christ, 24375 SE Stark Street, Gresham OR 97030.