Ruby Lee Caldwell

Ruby Lee Caldwell, 92, of Tamms, died at 11 p.m.  Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna.

She was born on July 21, 1932, near Carlisle, Miss., the daughter of Nollie Lee and Gladys Nichols Wilson.

She graduated from Port Gibson High School in 1949 and began working in Jackson, Miss., until she joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951. She was stationed at March Air Force Base near Riverside, Calif., and served as a secretary in the Judge Advocate General’s Office.

In April 1953, she married Jerry Lee Caldwell, who was also serving in the Air Force at March Air Force Base. Together they spent over 71 years together. He survives.

In December 1954, after their discharge from the Air Force, they returned to Mississippi and attended Hinds Junior College and Mississippi State University. 

In 1967, she received a bachelor’s degree in business education from Southern Illinois University. In 1977, she received a master’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University. She taught business education at Egyptian High School in Tamms for 23 years until her retirement in 1998. 

Along with her husband, she is survived by her son, Timothy Caldwell (Cindy Caldwell); daughter Cynthia Caldwell-Hefner (Monte Hefner); three grandchildren, Jonathan (Katie) Caldwell, Lori (Paul) Rich and Callie Hefner; great-grandchildren Brayden Caldwell, Collins Caldwell, Tyler (Amanda) Rich and Logan (Grace) Rich; two great-great-grandchildren, Cody Rich and Owen Rich; and siblings Hal Wilson and Leon Wilson. 

A graveside service was held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and/or Shriners Hospital for Children.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms was in charge of arrangements.