Bonnie Jean Simmons Caldwell

Bonnie Jean Simmons Caldwell, 74, of Eagle Rock, passed away early on Tuesday, January 27, in the company of her beloved husband, Jerry Odell Caldwell. She was born on September 16, 1940 in the town of Glen Wilton to Hubert Edward Simmons and Margaret Naomi McCoy Simmons, and was an older sister to Dreama Anne Simmons Frye, all of whom preceded her in death. Her residence remained in Glen Wilton until the last four and a half years of her life, when she moved to Eagle Rock, VA. Bonnie was a graduate of Eagle Rock High School, class of 1958, during which she was swept off of her feet by her prom date, Jerry Caldwell. The couple married on December 20, 1958, whereas they remained in blissful matrimony for 56 years, giving Bonnie an opportunity to embark in her greatest calling on Earth: that of a mother. Bonnie and Jerry gave birth to four loving children: Theresa Susan, Melanie Gaye, Natalie Kaye, and Jerry Dean. While completing her daily tasks as a wife, mother, daughter, and big sister; Bonnie still managed to take an active role in her community, working for Botetourt County Public Schools as a teacher's aide, teaching both reading and math, eventually transitioning into managing the cafeteria at Eagle Rock Elementary. Bonnie was an active member of her church, founding the Methodist Youth Fellowship at Glen Wilton United Methodist Church while also acting as the adult Sunday School teacher. She later became a member of Galatia Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where she was elected as a ruling elder and became active in both the church women's group and the Peaks Presbytery Pilgrimage. In her spare time, Bonnie also founded the 4H Club for northern Botetourt County and was a charter member of the Glen Wilton Volunteer Fire Department Lady's Auxiliary. She managed to remain fit in her later years by avidly working out at Curves and taking water aerobics at the Covington YMCA. Bonnie Jean is survived by the love of her life, Jerry Odell Caldwell, of Eagle Rock, and their four children and their spouses; Terry and Paul Tucker, Gaye and Don Lugar, Natalie and Rusty Saville, and Jerry and Kathy Caldwell. She was "Mawmaw" to seven cherished grandchildren: Brandon Linthicum, Andrew and Jill Tucker, Mandy and Matt Caldwell, and Zeke and Luke Saville, as well as one great-grandson, Nolan Linthicum. Bonnie is also survived by her brother in law, Ronnie Frye, numerous nieces and nephews, brother and sister in law, Guy and Doris Caldwell, and sister in law, Sheila Caldwell. The family will receive friends for Bonnie Jean Simmons Caldwell at the Buchanan Chapel of the Botetourt Funeral Home, 14920 Lee Highway, Buchanan, on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00pm. The funeral will take place at the same location on Friday, January 30 at 1pm, officiated by Reverend Robert McRae and Reverend Jae-Haeng Choi; burial will follow at Galatia Cemetery. Pallbearers for the ceremony are Wayne Correll, Eddie Newcomb, Darryl Johns, Andrew Tucker, Richard Thompson, and Bobby Hall. Honorary Pallbearers are Brandon Linthicum, Matthew Caldwell, Guy Caldwell, Jack Hammond, Mandy Caldwell, and Jill Tucker. Memorial contributions may be made to Galatia Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 78 Gala Loop Road, Eagle Rock, VA 24085. The family would like to thank numerous friends, family members, emergency personnel, and members of the medical field for their support over the last eleven months. Your contributions and hard work are greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be made at botetourtfuneralhome.com "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"- Revelation 14:13