Margaret "Peggy" Caldwell

Margaret (Peggy) Alice Smith was born on Sunday, April 27, 1941, to Margaret Bond Smith and Fletcher Lamar Smith. Peggy was the seventh generation of her family to be born in south Texas. She was raised by her two loving grandmothers, Mimi and Ada, and grew up the “baby” of the family.

She married Freddie William Etter on May 5, 1958, shortly after turning eighteen on April 27 ^th of that year. She then graduated from Martin High School on May 23, 1958.

Peggy and Freddie were married for fifteen years. To this union were born two children, daughter Lola Caroline and son Dan Fletcher. After their time together, both went on to second and much happier marriages.

During this time, Peggy also graduated as valedictorian from the Hermann Hospital School of Vocational Nursing in Houston.  She spent many years working in several hospitals. Over time, Peggy developed a confidence in her nursing skills, and a love for what she felt was her calling in life. She loved helping others, and enjoyed the adrenaline rush of working as a nurse in the intensive care and cardiac units.

On June 2, 1974, Peggy married William Carl Caldwell, Sr. Together, they enjoyed being amateur radio operators for many years. During this time, Peggy helped form the local Division of Licensed Vocational Nurses Association of Texas in Irving.

Always a liberal, Peggy became active in the Democratic party during Jimmy Carter’s first campaign for president. Peggy’s political viewpoints were obvious from the organizations she actively supported, such as The American and Texas Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, Habitat for Humanity, and many others.

Later, in 1996, a dear friend convinced Peggy to go to work as a school nurse at the Goodrich School. It may have been a far cry from the adrenaline of working in the intensive care unit, but was a wonderful and fulfilling job all the same. Nex to her own family, the children she cared for were the most important things in her life.

Peggy Caldwell is predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill Caldwell; her two grandmothers, Mimi and Ada; her parents, Margaret and Lamar; a sister, Connie Miller, and Mary Jo Herrington and husband George of Alice; and her step-son, Kelly Joe Caldwell.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter, Caroline Estes of Austin; son, Dan Etter and his wonderful wife Melanie of Redhorn Ranch in Thrall; stepsons, Bill Jr. of Irving, Lonnie of Grande Prairie, and Ty Caldwell of Reno, Nevada; daughters-in-heart Donna Anders and My Kim Van; and grandchildren, Candis, Laura, Jacqueline, Valerie, Brianna, and Will Caldwell. She also leaves behind her brother, Clifton Burr and wife JoAnn of Atlanta; a sister, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Weep as much as you choose at this service, and at the gravesite. But then, please join Peggy’s family at her son’s home, located on her father’s ranch. There, we will eat, drink, laugh and enjoy telling stories and sharing memories.

Most of all, honor Peggy’s life by being kind to one another, keeping her memory in your hearts, and by living each day to the fullest.