Martha Caldwell

Mrs. Martha Caldwell Obituary Due to Covid-19 limiting our social gathering, the services will be livestreamed on Facebook on Lee Road Baptist Church page. Please join us!! Martha was born in Naga, Philippines on August 3, 1931, the 2nd of four children to the union of Boss and Conigunda Buendia Mathews. Martha spent her early years in the Philippines. Her mother died when she was a young child and her father served time as a World War II prisoner of war. During that period, she and her siblings were well cared for by close relatives. Martha shared recollections of the war, living with relatives, witnessing Japanese death marches and seeing her father occasionally when the Japanese would allow him to visit. After the war ended in 1945, she made the long journey overseas to the United States with her father and younger brothers, and settled in Sandusky, Ohio. After graduating from Sandusky High School, Martha relocated to Cleveland and moved into the historic Phyllis Wheatley Association on Central Avenue, a dormitory for black women migrating to the City. She was employed at United Appeal (now United Way) and attended Cleveland College of Western Reserve University. She and her future husband, Robert Bernard, also a student at Cleveland College, were introduced by a mutual friend in 1951 and were joined in holy matrimony on December 19, 1953 at Cory United Methodist Church (Robert Bernard’s church home.) Robert Bernard (Bob or Bernard) and Martha were true partners in every aspect of their life.— in marriage, in work , in their spiritual life and at play! They raised their two children, Gary and Lolita, as a united front. Martha stayed home with the children while they were very young and despite her slight stature, was the primary disciplinarian, commanding respect, good behavior and good grades. She was a stickler for a clean home and would not allow Gary or Lolita to leave the house on Saturday until their chores were done (including scrubbing the floors on hand and knees with butter knives and toothbrushes!) In 1964, they started Acme Exterminating and worked together building a successful business for over 50 years. They were true partners, each managing different parts of the business—Martha ran the office while Robert Bernard oversaw the field operations. During those 50 years, their daily routine was eating breakfast together, driving to work together, eating lunch together, driving home and then eating dinner with the children. Martha and Robert Bernard always sought a church home close to their residence so their children could walk to Bible School. Their first home was in the Glenville neighborhood and together they joined Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church. When they moved to Lee Harvard in 1961, they sought a church home in the neighborhood and joined Lee Road Baptist Church in 1962. Martha was an active member on the Membership Involvement Committee, Counting Committee and the Audit Committee. She loved her church her family and last attended before COVID. They met some of their closet friends and travel companions at the church. Outside of work and church, Martha and Robert Bernard enjoyed socializing and traveling. Bernard came from a large family and they enjoyed holiday gatherings, family reunions and impromptu parties. Martha was also active in several social clubs. She was a founding member of the CARAs (a social club of sister friends), was active with the Silhouettes (the Kappa Wives), and with Robert Bernard was a founding member of the Wi-Hubs couples club. She also supported her husband and hosted dinners for the Renyards. Together, they had a full social life, often attending two parties in a weekend over the holidays. They were also avid travelers and enjoyed traveling with groups of friends and family. They traveled to the Philippines, Japan, the Caribbean, Rio de Janeiro, and Hawaii, to name a few of their favorite trips. They also drove down the west coast on a 2 week adventure that included a stay with her brother Adolph in Seattle. They never missed any Barnes, Holts, Hambricks and Jinks (BHHJ) national reunions that rotate from northern cities (Cleveland and New York) to the families home base in Atlanta. Martha was full of life and continued to live life to the fullest in spite of her Alzheimers. After she stopped working, her caregiver continued to bring her to the office to have lunch with Bob daily. She continued to attend church and enjoyed weekly dinners at Ho Wahs. She continued to watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and make nightly tea for her and Bob. In September, her disease progressed to a point where she moved into Cedar Living, a small memory care facility in Mayfield Village. Martha got her wings with Bob by her side on January 2, 2021. A classic ending to a 67 year love story! Martha Caldwell was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Adolph, Ray and Roy. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Robert Bernard Caldwell; children, Gary Caldwell and Lolita Hines (Erwin); her 6 grandchildren, Jeremy Caldwell(Mayzaron), Jonathan Caldwell(Melinda), Emily Wulu(Aaron), Gabrielle Aryeetey(Peace-Love), Erwin Hines and Taylor Hines; her great-grandchildren Isaiah, Santiana, December, Donald, Eva, Sophia, Kimber, Shiah, Giana, Olivia, and Elliana; Sister-in-laws Gloria Haynes, Shirley Taylor, Janice Haynes (Melvin) and Debra Williams (Gus); and a host of nieces, nephews and friends To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha Caldwell, please visit our floral store. Read More

Martha Caldwell

August 3, 1927 - January 2, 2021