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JoAnn Underwood Caldwell
JoAnn Underwood Caldwell, age 93, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died on Monday, March 31, 2014, at Conerstone Village South, Lafayette, La., where she resided for eight years. JoAnn was born Feb. 15, 1921, in Garland, Kan., to Harvey Underwood and May Conner Underwood. JoAnn and her four siblings were raised on a farm with no running water or electricity until a much later date. Her mother contracted polio at age three and walked with crutches. She never complained and was grateful for what she could do. JoAnn was the same, always upbeat and happy for what she had, and in the Depression days, the family had very little. She graduated from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Junior College. She taught all eight grades in a one-room school house during World War II while her husband, Luther, trained at Camp Polk, La., and then served in the European Theatre. Luther's cremains will be interred with JoAnn's and a celebratory service will be held for him as well. After the war, JoAnn and her family moved to Kansas City, Mo., where she continued her education earning a Bachelors and Masters Degree in education from the University of Central Missouri. She taught elementary school for 36 years. JoAnn and Luther loved traveling to various bluegrass music venues and held membership in the Kansas City Area Bluegrass Association. She was also a member of the Raytown Retired Teachers' Association.
JoAnn is survived by three sons, Larry Caldwell, Lafayette, Colo., Dr. Joe Caldwell and wife, Roslyn, Lafayette, La., and Lynn Caldwell and wife, Marjorie, St. Louis, Mo.; a brother, Eldon Underwood, Garland, Kan.; five grandchildren, Jason Caldwell and wife Bobbi, Lafayette; Lesley Caldwell Cobb and Tyler, Austin, Texas; Sonnet Caldwell Grant, Kailua, Hawaii; Hagan Caldwell, Boulder, Colo.; and Chris Caldwell and wife Sarah, Arlington Va.; and two great-granddaughters Adleigh and Reagan Caldwell, Lafayette, La.; and many loved nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Luther; two brothers, Carl and Clair Underwood; and a sister Mary Ester Ham.
There was Cremation. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3 at the Large Cemetery south of Fort Scott. Memorial contributions may be made to Olive Branch Ascension Episcopal Church or Hospice Acadiana and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.