She Lived                                                                     She Always Will

She walked this earth in stride, educated, smelled the roses, made a home, loved many and left her warm spirit with many.

A person's birth marks the beginning of life and the date of death denotes the day on which one is transformed from mortality to immortality; the dash between always signifies the time spent on earth, which is commonly known as life.

Sarah Butler Caldwell was the daughter of the late Jim Houston and Mattie Butler. She was born on January 1, 1943 and lived her life to the fullest from that day until her passing on Friday, March 13, 2020. She was married to Otis Dellinger Caldwell, Sr, and from that union came her only son Otis Dellinger Caldwell, Jr who both preceded her in death.

Sarah attended Isabella Wyke Elementary School, Second Ward High School, and graduated from the illustrious West Charlotte Senior High School in 1961.

Sarah was passionate about education and fulfilled her career in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System with dedication for 30 years. Her love for children was so great that she went back to work in the office part time at Lincoln Heights Elementary for many years after retirement. Over her life span she touched the lives of many students from diverse neighborhoods. Sarah also served as a Democratic Judge and as Chief Judge of Voting Precinct #41 for several years.

Her Christian life started at an early age at Ebenezer Baptist Church. At the early age of four she learned the songs her mother was singing and never stop singing. Her beautiful voice could be heard throughout Ebenezer for many years as she served on the Hymn and Mass Choirs. She also shared her vocal talents with the Citywide Hymn Choir.

Preceded in death by her sister Alice B. Word (Joe), Sarah leaves to continue the celebration of her life, a loving granddaughter, YaVonka Stitt and five siblings, Mary B. Maxwell, James Butler, Sr., Edna B. Barnes (Oscar), Abbie L. Butler, and Gerald N. Butler. She also leaves six nieces and nephews, three great-nieces and nephews: 1 great-great nephew, and a host of other family and friends.