Mar. 12, 1931 — Nov. 17, 2013

VIDALIA—Funeral services for Leory E. Caldwell, 82, of Vidalia, who died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at Natchez Regional Hospital in Natchez, will be at 11 a.m. today at Vidalia United Methodist Church with the Rev. Truman Stagg officiating.

Burial will follow in the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Caldwell was born on Mar. 12, 1931, in Gilbert, La., the son of Emanuel and Ruth Caldwell.

He graduated from Olla-Standard High School in 1948. He then graduated from Northwestern State University in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and accounting.

He retired with International Paper and was business manager for 13 years with the Concordia Parish school system. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.

He met the love of his life in Vidalia and married Lula Mae Moncrief in February 1952. They were happily married for 61 years. They had three sons, which made up their beautiful marriage relationship.

He was a mild-mannered man who always put others first. He was a remarkable husband and father and was loved by all.

Caldwell was preceded in death by his parents; son, Bill Caldwell; brothers, Murray Caldwell, Buford Caldwell, J. D. Caldwell and W. L. Caldwell; and sister, Velma Childers.

Survivors include his wife, Lula Mae Caldwell; two sons, Gary Caldwell and wife, Mary Ruth, of Vidalia, and Joseph Caldwell and wife, Linda, of Bossier City, La.; grandchildren, Russell Caldwell and wife, Ami, of Vidalia, Chase Caldwell and wife, Brittney, of Waco, Texas, and Kristen Caldwell, of Vidalia; two great-grandchildren, Emerson Claire Caldwell and Lexie Michelle Caldwell; three half-sisters, JoAnn Gray, Carrie Huddleston and Juanita Brown; half-brother, Tommy Caldwell; brother-in-law, Ray Moncrief and wife, Linda; special family friend, Stephanie Burnette and a number of nephews and nieces.

Pallbearers will be Russell Caldwell, Chase Caldwell, Ricky Moncrief, Randy Moncrief, Gene Thompson and J. C. Roberson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Chauvin, Greg Young, John Dayton, Jack McLemore, Bill Torre, Joe Swoveland Sr. and Art Verdell.

A special thanks to Dr. Barry Tillman and his staff, Natchez Regional Hospital Second Floor South, Camelot Leisure Living, Anna Laura and Camellia Hospice.

Online condolences can be made at www.youngsfh.com.