Martha Olive Caldwell

Martha Olive Caldwell, 75, of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away on July 19, 2020.  She was born on May 11, 1945, to Uel and Elisabeth Olive of Union City, Tennessee.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Liz Teuton.  She is survived by her husband, Robert W. Caldwell, of St. Charles; her four children, Beth Cupples, married to David, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Michele Flores of Troy, Missouri, Kelly Caldwell and Greg Pohlen of O’Fallon, Missouri, and Robert O. Caldwell, married to Nicole, of Suwanee, Georgia; her 13 grandchildren, Robert Monteforte II and wife Ashley, Michael Monteforte and fiancé Arey Zarlingo, Ashley Stroud and husband Levi, all of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Matthew Monteforte of Reno, Nevada, and Bailey Cupples of Kennett, Missouri; Alejandro, Rosie, and Ricardo Flores of Troy, Missouri; Lily and Anna Caldwell of O’Fallon, Missouri; Chloe, Charlotte, and Violet Caldwell of Suwanee, Georgia; and 3 great-grandchildren, Laela Rose, Emma Grace, and JoAnna Joy Monteforte of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Martha was a member of the First United Methodist Church of St. Charles since 1990.  She volunteered with the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen for over 20 years and started the Showers of Blessings program at her church.  But for all of her 75 years, Martha was a homemaker.

She made a home with her mother, her daddy, and her older sister.  She made a home with her childhood sweetheart for over 53 years.  She made a home for her four children, raising them with love and grace, laughter and a few tears (because you need to have a little salty with the sweet).

Martha made a home for her friends and neighbors.  She was always ready to hold a hand, bring a meal, or share a laugh.  She made a home for her nieces and nephews.  Summer visits with Aunt Martha were filled with fun and food, lots of food!

Martha made a home for the homeless.  She knew that a hug and a smile were as important as a home-cooked meal and a shower.  And, she provided all of those and more.  She was a voice and an ear for so many that go unnoticed and unloved.

We knew her as Martha, Mom, Mama, Mother, Nan, Nana, Manny, and Aunt Martha, but more than that, we knew she was home.  And now, she is Home.