Marta Caldwell

On May 2nd, Marta Jean Caldwell ascended to her place in heaven and is now in the comforting presence of her Heavenly Father. A longtime resident of Plano, Marta was an active and cherished member of the St. Andrew Methodist Church community. Over her decades as a congregant, she sang joyfully in the choir alongside her beloved husband, Gary, and volunteered faithfully as an usher, among many other roles that reflected her generous spirit. Marta was a super mom—devoted, nurturing, and always present. As an educator for nearly 30 years, she touched the lives of countless students, many of whom remained connected to her long after they left her classroom. Children from all walks of life found it easy to approach her and feel welcomed, supported, and loved. She had an extraordinary gift for making every child feel seen. Throughout her life, Marta embraced hobbies with industrious curiosity—sewing, crochet, macramé, aerobics, ceramics, painting, photography, and more. But perhaps the most legendary of her pastimes was her bread making. Marta’s homemade sourdough loaves were a labor of love that took two full days to perfect. Their sweet, delicate crumb made them nearly dessert-like and always in high demand. She shared her bread generously with family, friends, and even her church, where she occasionally donated loaves for communion. Her grandsons especially remember the warm grilled cheese sandwiches lovingly made from her signature loaves. Marta's warmth was felt most deeply within her family. She was a devoted wife to Gary for 45 years, and a grandmother whose love and joy were immeasurable. Her days were best spent surrounded by her grandchildren, playing games like Aggravation!, Sequence, cards, and Rummikub, sharing meals, and reading stories—often from the front seat of the car on cross-town trips. She and Gary shared the sweet ritual of listening to music and reading aloud to one another at the end of each day. Full of life, Marta’s smile had a unique way of lighting up every room with enthusiasm and positivity, and her laughter—pure, warm, and full of innocence—left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Though she may have left this earth, her smile will always remain, brightening our days and reminding us of the love she gave so freely. Marta leaves behind her devoted husband Gary; her children, David and Michelle; her grandchildren, Grace, Calvin, Henry, and Gus; her brother Michael and sister Linda. She is preceded in death by her parents, Laura Jean and Bryan DeMart Pettit, and her brother Jeff. Please consider a donation to The Messenger of Hope Scholarship in Honor of Marta Caldwell. This will honor Marta’s preference not to receive cut flowers. For those that cannot attend you can watch live here: https://standrewmethodist.org/ministries/congregational-care/watch-memorial-service/

Marta Caldwell

February 17, 1949 - May 2, 2025