Rose Marie Caldwell

Rose Marie Caldwell (Mamaw) passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in Roswell, New Mexico. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with Rose’s family at www.andersonbethany.com. Graveside services for Rose are scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2019, at South Park Cemetery at 2:00 PM. Rose was born in San Antonio, Texas, to Jack Harold and Mary Magdalene Halfen on August 18, 1933. She lived in San Antonio until the family moved to Houston when she was five. In 1949, Rose and her family moved to Portales, New Mexico, where she completed high school. She married her husband, Lester “Brent” Caldwell at the First Baptist Church in Portales on October 21, 1951. He preceded her in death on March 14, 1996. Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Jack Harold and Mary Magdalene Halfen; and mother-in-law, Marjorie “Ree” Caldwell. Rose is survived by two brothers: Lee Roy Halfen of Houston, Texas, and Billy Wayne Halfen and wife Theresa of Houma, Louisiana; one sister, Linette Keton of Boling, Texas; one son, Larry Caldwell and fiancé Lisa Jabar of Maple Grove, Minnesota; one daughter, Sherrie Douglass of Roswell, New Mexico; grandchildren: Stephanie Bain and husband Monty of Columbus, Kansas, Austin Edwards of Roswell, New Mexico, Kyle Caldwell of Duluth, Minnesota, Shelby Gamboa and husband Santos of Roswell, New Mexico; and eleven great-grandchildren. Rose is also survived by her longtime friend and neighbor, Ernie Delgado. Rose did volunteer work in Roswell for 35 years, including the Osteopathic Hospital (where she was also a nurse’s aide) and Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. She worked as a private duty nurse for about 6 years and at St. Mary’s Hospital. Rose was a member of the Rebecca Lodge, the Extension Club in Roswell, and the Epsilon Alpha Sorority. Rose’s true passion was playing Duplicate Bridge, any type of cards really. She learned to play bridge in 1970. She taught Duplicate Bridge for fourteen years and played regularly at the Roswell Inn and Roswell Adult Center, as well as numerous tournaments in the area. Rose became a Life Master at Duplicate Bridge and traveled to Arizona and Las Vegas. A favorite game to play with her family was Hand and Foot, where many memorable hours were spent as she endured our long pauses and swiftly capitalized on any mistakes we made. She even taught extended family to play and when a rule was in question they would quote ATR, “According to Rose”. Her legacy will live on with her family and friends. A special thank you to all who assisted, visited, loved, and prayed for Mamaw, including the wonderful staff at Heartfelt Manor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home in Portales online at nmcch.org. Rose’s tribute was beautifully written by her family.

Rose Marie Caldwell

August 18, 1933 - October 19, 2019