Shirley Yvonne Caldwell (Dodd-Nelson)

Shirley Yvonne Caldwell went home to be in the arms of the Lord on January 29, 2024, at the age of 86 surrounded by her loving children.

Shirley was born on Dec 31, 1937, in Sherman Texas to Johnie and Eulas Nelson. She was raised to take care of her family caring for her brothers. She learned to sew and iron from her mother and later made all of her own daughter's clothes during their childhood. She loved to sew, and she loved the Lord, encouraging her kids to attend church and nurture their relationship with God. Shirley helped start Sun Valley Baptist Temple in El Paso Texas where she started the Sunday school program.  Shirley went on to provide for her 5 children working at her first and only job at Texas Instruments where she retired after 31 years.

After Shirley retired, she went on to volunteer delivering meals through Meals on Wheels, helping the elderly through TCOG and gave her time and resources to those in need. She went on to care for her mother Johnie in her later years until her passing at the age of 98. Shirley belonged to Grayson Bible Baptist Church and often volunteered for the services greeting her brothers and sisters in Christ.

She loved to have her family and friends over whenever possible, and her home was always full and happy during the holidays.  She loved birthday cards and was always ready to share her love through each carefully chosen one she gave. Shirley always remained active and present in the lives of all her children and grandchildren. She was witty and wise, loving, and full of grace. Her strength, humility, and perseverance is something to be honored above all else. Her greatest accomplishment, by far, has been honoring God with the love that she gave and teaching about Jesus.  Her walk with the Lord was evident in the way she lived and loved. She led by example, taught with wisdom, earned respect through her strength, and was always gentle and kind with her words.

Shirley lived a full and beautiful life surrounded by so many who cherished and respected her, but there was never a more humble person in love beside Jesus himself. Her legacy of love lives on in her 5 children, who then went on to raise a total of 13 grandchildren with 30 great grandchildren.

She is kept in the hearts of her five beloved children oldest Michael Dodd, Debra Edgett, Kathy Worthington, Peggy Eoff, and youngest Steven Dodd as well as her honorary sons Jerry Worthington and Alan Eoff.  Along with spouses Sara Dodd and friends.

Even more pieces of her heart live on in her thirteen grandchildren Cheri Browder, Leslee Cox, Amanda McGill, Kris Edgett, Jeremy Worthington, Brandy Berumen, Angela Holbrook, Erika Rylander, Kylee King, Deanna Dodd, Ryan Eoff, Jenny Worthington, and Darcee Watson. Along with their spouses and 30 great grandchildren.

She is greeted in heaven by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, mother Johnnie Nelson, father Eulas Nelson, brothers Jackie, Bobby, and Jimmy Nelson, best friend Ray Gomez, and daughter-in-law Merleen Dodd.

A funeral service celebrating Shirley's life will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, February 1, at Waldo Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Roy Webster of Grayson Bible Baptist Church will officiate.

Burial will immediately follow at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman.

Waldo Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.