Wilburn Caldwell

Wilburn Wells Harbison Caldwell

Wilburn Wells Harbison Caldwell, 96 years old peacefully departed this life on earth Thursday, September 25, 2008 at her home. She was born February 14, 1912 in Benton; TN. Mrs. Caldwell was a descendant of one of the first pioneer families of Polk County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of the late John Andrew Harbison and Hattie Belle Crowe; grandparents, George Washington Harbison, Jr. and Emma Turner Harbison; great grandparents, George Washington Harbison, Sr. and Sinia Gilliland Harbison

She was formally a member of the First Baptist Church of Benton and later attended the First Baptist Church of Cleveland. She was a loving and devoted mother.

Mrs. Caldwell graduated from Polk County High School, class of 1930 and attended East Tennessee State Teachers College and Tennessee Wesleyan College. She was an elementary school teacher for 43 years in the Polk County School System. She taught in the Benton, Conasauga and Old Fort schools.

She was a member of the Polk County Historical and Genealogical Society and a past member of Polk County Retired Teachers Association. Mrs. Caldwell was an avid reader and a UT Volunteer sports fan. She was a Benton business woman during the years of 1960 to 1980.

Mrs. Caldwell is survived by her daughter, Harriett Elizabeth Caldwell of Cleveland; several nieces, nephews and cousins; first cousin, Mrs. Jane Ziegler of Athens and very special friend, Gordon Bruce Suttle.

Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday September 29, 2008 in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with Reverend Darwin Caldwell and Reverend Tom Wickes officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Caldwell family guestbook at www.fikefh.com