Louise P. Caldwell

August 5, 1930 - February 14, 2022

Mary Louise Petersen Caldwell, aged 91, beloved wife and mother, died Monday, February 14, 2022 at Sunnyside Presbyterian Community in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Louise was born August 5, 1930 in Atlanta, GA, to the Reverend Harry F. Petersen, Jr and Mary Ford (Little) Petersen. She attended high school in Montreat, NC, and graduated from Queens College in Charlotte, NC. She earned an M.A. from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. She also completed coursework for the Master of Library Science program at UNC-Greensboro. While in Richmond, Louise met her husband, the late Reverend Clifford D. “Kip” Caldwell. They were married in 1954 in Columbia, SC and enjoyed a long and loving marriage of 59 years until Kip’s death in 2013. Louise and Kip lived in Charlotte and High Point, NC before moving to Staunton, VA, where Kip was the pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church and Pines Chapel for 23 years. At the time of her death, Louise was a member of Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church. Louise was a dedicated minister’s wife, a loving mother, and a faithful Christian. She is remembered for her active support of church, school and community activities, for her wonderful cooking, and for her distinctive Georgia accent. For many years, she was a committed substitute teacher at Riverheads High School. In later life, she greatly enjoyed working as a librarian for the Virginia Dept. of Corrections Academy of Staff Development. Louise also loved camping and traveling with her family, history, reading, watching sports with Kip, the Tuesday Club, the Garden Club, and playing bridge. In addition to her husband, Louise was preceded in death by her brother, the Rev. Harry F. Petersen III. She is survived by her children, Melinda Caldwell and her husband Jeff Blauvelt of Charlottesville, VA, Doug Caldwell of Wintergreen, VA, Sarah Caldwell of Campobello, SC, John Caldwell and his wife Julie of Richmond, VA, and grandchildren Jason Blauvelt, Allison Blauvelt, Matthew Caldwell, Kate Caldwell and Jack Caldwell. A memorial service will be held at a later date in the Caldwell Family Cemetery in Bristol, Tennessee. Memorials may be made to the church or charity of your choice.