M.R. Caldwell

Mary Ruth Edwards Caldwell died Nov. 2, 2013 after an extended battle with cancer.

She was predeceased by her parents, Gilbert Harold Edwards and Jean Maxham Edwards and a sister, Eleanor Jane Edwards Johnson.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Phillip Rollin Caldwell; brother, William Maxham Edwards; sister, Martha Ann Edwards; nieces and nephews, Etta Layne Johnson, Bradley Byrne Johnson, Sheila Dawn Johnson, Tara Jean Johnson, Elizabeth Ann Edwards Payne, Jennifer Jean Edwards Walker and Paul Gilbert Edwards and their families.

Born in Du Quoin, Ill., she lived in Pinckneyville, Ill. from infancy through high school graduation, then earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Southern Methodist University. She taught elementary instrumental music in the Dallas ISD, followed by years as church choir director at Walnut Hill United Methodist Church. After her resignation as director at WHUMC, she became an interim choir director at several Dallas area churches. She sang in the Mesquite Civic Chorus and was a 10-year member of both the Dallas Symphony Chorus and the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir.

A Memorial service was held at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Road, Dallas, Tex., on Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m. Please send family condolences to www.ariacremation.com.