Shirley Ann Bradley Caldwell, age 76, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2023. Shirley was born on January 25, 1947, in the Grapevine Community where she spent her life and attended Grapevine Baptist Church as a life-long member. Shirley spent her years shaping the young lives of the greater Mars Hill community with her work at Mars Hill Elementary School as a kindergarten assistant teacher for 31 years. She loved her coworkers and students as if they were her own. Shirley loved working in her church, teaching in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as well as preparing communion for many years. She also enjoyed caring for her cats and many beautiful flowers. However, her greatest joy was being a mother to her son.Brent.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Bill and Blanche Sams Bradley, parents in law Rev. Coleman and Pearl Caldwell, brothers Ralph (Ellen) Bradley, Hershel (Hazel) Bradley, sister Eileen Bradley (Bud) Israel, and brother-in-law Garrell Clark.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 55 years, Donald "Butch" Caldwell, her son Brent Caldwell (Kendra Arrowood), sister Betty Lou Bradley Clark, sister-in-law Betty Bearse, brothers-in-law Bill (Iva) Caldwell, Bob (Joyce) Caldwell, and Jerry (Louise) Caldwell, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Please join us in celebrating Shirley's life and legacy at 1pm Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Grapevine Baptist Church. Reverend Danny Jenkins will officiate. Burial will follow in the Bradley Cemetery. Billy Bradley, Jerry Caldwell, David Clark, Logan Clark, Teddy Edmonds, Daniel Metcalf, Billy Rice, and Rick Terry will serve as pallbearers. Christiaan Ramsey will serve as honorary pallbearer. The family will receive friends from 11am-1pm Thursday prior to the service.

All expressions of sympathy, including flowers or honorary donations to funeral expenses are welcomed, and can be sent to Blue Ridge Funeral Service, PO Box 27, Mars Hill, NC 28754.

The family would also like to recognize and offer special thanks to Shirley's caregivers and therapists at Madison Health & Rehab. We would also like to thank Mission Hospital caregivers on A6 West and A3 West floors.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org