Mrs. Anita L. Caldwell was born to the late John and Alice Bender on May 1, 1959, in Gulfport, Mississippi. She departed this life for her heavenly home on December 14, 2023.
"Nita" graduated from Gulfport High School in 1977. She attended Jeff Davis Jr College and Jackson State University. She united in marriage with the love of her life Dennis Ray Caldwell Sr. on August 16, 1980. To this union, four children were born. She was employed with Memorial Hospital of Gulfport for 17 years.
Until her health began to fail, Anita was a faithful member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, where she was an active member of the WIA's, Sanctuary Choir, Mass Choir, and Youth Department. She was active in the WIA's ministry on a district, state, and national level.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Dennis Ray Caldwell Sr; her daughter, Denise Rachelle Caldwell Obi; her mother, Alice Bender; her birth mother, Dr. Mariah Bradford; sister, Gwendolyn Williams; and granddaughter, Te'Onna Caldwell.
"Nita" leaves to cherish her precious memories two daughters, Denita Caldwell Kelly (Cornelius) of College Park, GA and Allison Caldwell of Gulfport, MS; one son, Dennis Ray Caldwell Jr. of Gulfport, MS; nine grandchildren, Jevon Turner, Aubree Caldwell, Azaiah Caldwell, Ayden Caldwell, Cayla Russell, Cristyn Kelly, Devyn Kelly, Matasia Caldwell, and Micah Broomfield; two brothers, Demond Bradford of Peoria, AZ and Kelvin Bradford of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, God-given children, and friends.