Gene Caldwell Obituary

Gene McKinney Caldwell MT. PLEASANT - Gene McKinney Caldwell, 70, of Mount Pleasant, SC passed away on November 4, 2014 after an extended illness. She was born on February 12, 1944 in the Army hospital on Sullivan's Island. Gene was the daughter of the late Henry E. McKinney Jr. and Dorothy Sharkey McKinney. She grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina among a close extended family which included her twin brother Henry ("Hink"), her sister Beth and first cousins, Jim, Candy, Tim, Nancy and Marshall, collectively the "Merry Macs." She graduated from Greenwood High School and it was there, in her freshman year, that Gene met the love of her life, Earl "Sonny" Caldwell. In 1965, Gene obtained her nursing degree from High Point Nursing School. Soon after, Gene and Sonny married and returned to Greenwood where their two children, Doris and Dawson, were born. In 1971, Gene and Sonny moved their family to Marietta, Georgia. Gene was known for being an exceptional homemaker and wonderful cook. She was a supportive wife and dedicated mother. Gene was an active member of the Marietta Junior Woman's Club and the John Knox Presbyterian Church. Gene loved to travel and spend time in the Bahamas and in the North Carolina mountains. In 1997, when their first grandson was born, Gene became "Gigi" and she and Sonny relocated to Charleston. Gene is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Earl Caldwell, daughter Doris Caldwell of Marietta, Georgia, son Dawson Caldwell and his wife Lisa of Mount Pleasant, SC, grandsons, Dawes, Gil and Henry, brother, Henry McKinney and his wife Lynn of Simpsonville, SC, sister, Beth Bass of Greenwood, SC and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 3pm at Blyth Funeral Home, 1425 Montague Avenue, Greenwood, SC. Visitation will be held following the burial at Oakbrook Memorial Park, 3007 Highway 25 North, Hodges, SC. The family would like to thank Dr. Jeffrey Wong at MUSC and Marilyn Huff for their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Gene to Hospice of Charleston - hospiceofcharleston.com. For online condolences, please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston