Anita Jones Caldwell

Anita Caldwell, 95, of Koshkonong, Missouri passed away on October 31, 2024, at the Shady Oaks Healthcare Center of Thayer, Missouri. Anita was born on a cotton farm on her daddy’s birthday, March 3, 1929, in Osceola, Arkansas to the parents of Almon H. Jones and Laura (Mansfield) Jones.

She married Thomas Darrell Caldwell, in Salem, Arkansas. From this union three children were born: Darrell Blaine, Quinton Lane (Quinn) and Lindan Shann Caldwell. Her sons and offspring were the pride and joy of her life.

Anita was a Charter member of the Thayer Free Will Baptist Church and enjoyed attending church when health permitted. Miss Anita taught Sunday School classes for several years and was very knowledgeable of the Bible. Darrell & Anita were Baptized at the Green Lantern Hole on Warm Fork Creek. She worked 13 years at Puritan Fashions on the steam pressing line, gaining many lifelong friends along the way. She was a lifelong Oregon County resident and Democrat.

She was a self-taught Artist from an early age and took pride in being “Thayer’s Artist.” Some of her many sketches from the 1973 book “Sketches of the Warm Fork Hill Country” can be seen on display in the Thayer Library. Wall murals were a specialty. She was an avid reader and loved scrapbooking and making family photo albums. She enjoyed raising flowers and cooking. She loved her cat Simee and special dog, Starla Rose (Little Dog).

Anita Jones was a member of the Class of 1947 at Thayer High School. She won a contest of “How To Beautify Thayer,” her sophomore year and had poems published in The Thayer News in her junior and senior years of high school. She also wrote many of The Peptonian articles and did a lot of the artwork for school dances, Homecoming, May Day, and graduation. She wrote a weekly article “Paths & Portraits” for The Thayer News, covering local people and happenings. She won a contest to design the Oregon County Flag in 1976. She also designed the Thayer Centennial plates. She enjoyed attending Bobcat ball games and playing the school fight song (Notre Dame Fight Song) on her organ well into her 90’s. She painted many beautiful “THS Bobcats.” One of those she donated to the high school in 1972 and still adorns the cafeteria.

Anita is survived by children D.B. Caldwell (Allie), Quinn Caldwell (Thelma) and Shann Caldwell. She was preceded by husband Darrell Caldwell and her parents Almon and Laura Jones and brothers Herb Jones and Dode Jones.

A Graveside service held by the family on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 1 P.M. at the Thayer Cemetery.

Rev David Ball

Caldwell Singers “I’ll Fly Away

“Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand”

Anita Naomi Fae Jones

******Excerpt from Find A Grave posted by family request.  The link below leads to the website, and it includes pictures of many of her art pieces. *******

Anita Jones Caldwell (1929-2024) – Find a Grave Memorial

Burial was at the Thayer Cemetery of Thayer, Missouri.

Services in care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – Thayer, Missouri.