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Caldwell, " M R" Mary Ruth

June 5, 2039 –
 November 2, 2013

Obituary

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 DuQuoin, IL, she lived in Pinckneyville, IL 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 ten-year member of both the Dallas Symphony Chorus and the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir.

A Memorial service will be held at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Road, Dallas, TX, on November 23 at 2:00 P.M.

Arrangements are under the direction of

ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75252

214-306-6700

 

    Jeff Atkins
    11 Nov 2013
    5:08pm

    MRC, always Mary Ruth to me, taught and lived the true essence of LOVE! She took an under-enthused, dismayed artist and relit the flame that now burns bright. We have lost a cherished spirit on earth – but have gained an unquenchable light; now enrolled as an earth ambassador! God give her every tool she has longed for! Peace and increased curiosity in your journey Mary Ruth! You will be forever known! Jeff

    Laura (Whitlock) Longwell
    11 Nov 2013
    11:10pm

    MR was one of the kindest people I have ever met. I was the youngest member of the WHUMC choir, and she was always so patient and encouraging to me inside and outside of the choir. She also went out of her way on many occasions to help me with parts I had in school musicals and wouldn’t dream of accepting payment in any form. She was a joy to be around and will be missed so much.

    Margie Reth
    15 Nov 2013
    9:08pm

    Mary Ruth was a class mate from PCHS, class of ’57, a band mate and a truly great friend. I never saw Mary Ruth without a smile or heard her speak aythin but encouraging words to others. What a great ambassador for God’s Kingdom.

    Marci Gunn Webb
    17 Nov 2013
    11:49am

    Mary Ruth has been a part of my life since before I can even remember. Always loving, always caring, always willing to lend a helping hand or a sympathetic ear. Her influence on my life will never be forgotten. Dance with the angels, my beloved friend!

    Deanna Davis Greathouse
    18 Nov 2013
    12:01pm

    Mary Ruth and I have been friends for over 70 years. We grew up in Pinckneyville together, played in band together, were in girl scouts together,sang in choir together and both majored in music. When we moved to Dallas, we renewed our old friendship. She was quite a neat person and I will miss her a great deal. God Bless Ooch !

    Bob and Kathy Welty
    19 Nov 2013
    8:14am

    We remember Mary Ruth so fondly from the WHUMC days – she was so generous with her gift of music and joy in the Lord. Our prayers for Phil – we love you.

    Beth McKellar
    22 Nov 2013
    1:48pm

    Mary Ruth has been family to me for over 31 years. She has been a supportive and inspirational part of us, and we will miss her! Her love of music has been a constant, and she has always shown her interest and pride in my childrens’ musical endeavors. Rest in peace, Mary Ruth, and sing with the angels!

    Susan Head
    22 Nov 2013
    11:10pm

    My sister, Judy, and I fondly remember Mary Ruth as that young flute teacher who gave Judy private flute lessons at W.T. White High School in Dallas in the 1960’s. And we were very glad to get reacquainted with her over many years when she and Phil were active at my family’s church, Walnut Hill Methodist, singing in the choir with our mother and dad, Tilden & Julia. I agree with so many others here who have written of her kindness towards others, encouragement and good humor – she really made the world a better place and we are better for having known her.

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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

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