Willa Dean Caldwell

BELMONT: Willa Dean White Caldwell, passed away peacefully, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, November 18th, 2023 after a courageous 7-year battle with dementia.

Dean was born on July 7th, 1948 in Charlotte, NC, to the late Leonard Baxter White & Lois Walls White. She spent her early childhood years in Cornelius, NC with her Uncle Bee and Aunt Lacy Harvel. Dean attended Garinger High School in Charlotte, NC where she graduated in 1966. She then went on to study at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, and a minor in Economics in 1970. She obtained her Vocational teacher’s certification from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1971 and began her teaching career with Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. She was a marketing teacher and DECA advisor at Independence High School for 10 years. Dean was very involved with her students and was well-respected by her fellow teachers. While Dean was taking graduate classes during the early 80s, an opportunity developed for her to change careers and become a business partner at Lavender-n-Lace Pet Shop. The pet store allowed Dean to have more family time, grow a business, and develop lifelong friendships over 20 years. After the pet shop closed due to changes in the industry she returned to the Olympic Community of Schools in Charlotte, as a Career Development Coordinator. Over her 9 years at Olympic, she devoted her time to helping students further their education by exploring career opportunities and helped develop an international partnership with a school in Denmark. Dean retired in 2012 from the school system.

Dean met the love of her life, Bruce Caldwell while attending Garinger High School in 1966. The couple attended UNCC together and married shortly after they graduated on June 7th, 1970. Their 53-year marriage has been filled with love and support for one another. Dean had many interests and Bruce always was involved in some way. The family spent many summers at the beach, and traveling around the country on different adventures.

Dean received her first horse, Stardust, as a gift from her father for Christmas at the age of 13. She immediately fell in love with horseback riding which developed into a passionate hobby and business partnership opportunity after retirement. She became an excellent equestrian and would compete in multiple surrounding states. Dean had Boston Terriers growing up and continued her love for the breed by developing a championship bloodline that is still being shown to this day. She competed in local dog shows as well as Westminster and Crufts in England. Dean was also a dog obedience trainer with the Charlotte Dog Training Club. Her love and passion for all animals big and small gave her and her family many special friendships.

Dean was a very active and dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church in Belmont. She served faithfully on the Board of Deacons and was a Stephen’s Minister. Dean loved to sing and shared her talent as a choir member for many years.

Dean was preceded in death by her parents and brother Don White.

Dean is survived by her dear devoted husband, Bruce Franklin Caldwell; daughter, Lacy Rudisill, (Toby) and son, Matthew Franklin Caldwell (Christy); grandchildren Wesley Matthews, Caiden and Gunner Rudisill and Whisper Caldwell; brother, Tom White (Jean); beloved nieces Cesilie Cleland, Suzanne White, and Molly White: and Sutton White (nephew).

The family would like to thank Memory & Movement Charlotte, especially Dr. Charles Edwards, for all the support since her diagnosis in 2017. The Center of Adult Daycare (Karen Creech) in Gastonia, NC for keeping Dean active and involved for the past several years. A special thank you to Gaston Hospice for providing care and support during her final months. Lifelong friends who have continued to show love and support throughout Dean’s life.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 25th, 2023 at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church, Belmont, NC with Sam Warner, Richard Boyce, and Daria Ragan officiating. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.

The Caldwell family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dean be sent to:

Memory & Movement Charlotte - Charlotte Neuroscience Foundation: Memory & Movement Charlotte 411 Billingsley Rd, Suite 103 Charlotte, NC 28211 https://www.mmclt.org/donate/

The Center in Gastonia - Gaston County DHHS-Adult and Aging Services 330 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way Gastonia, NC 28054 and please add “ADC” in the memo https://www.gastongov.com/456/Make-a-Donation

First Presbyterian Church - 102 South Central Ave Belmont, NC 28012

Aquamation services are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home & Aquamation of Kings Mountain. www.claybarnette.com