Extracted from The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, LA)
Sunday, September 30, 2001

Benjamin Leslie Caldwell

WEST MONROE, LA - Services for Ben, 18, of West Monroe, LA, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2001, at the Christian Life Center of the First United Methodist Church in West Monroe, LA with Rev. Karl Klaus officiating, burial will be in Hasley Cemetery.

Ben died September 27, 2001 from the side effects of leukemia, after a truly courageous battle, at the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

Ben was a 2001 Honor Graduate of West Monroe High School. He was a member of the 2000 West Monroe High School 5-A championship football team, the First United Methodist Church in West Monroe, LA, the National Honor Society, and the LHSAA Composite Academic All-State football team and received the 2000 Rebel Club Award at the WMHS football banquet. Ben was also active in his younger years with the Young Troupe of the Little Theatre.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Mr. Jeff W. Caldwell, Jr. and Mr. Mitchell V. May.

He is survived by his parents, Emily and Doug Caldwell, his longtime girlfriend, Cyndi Ellis, grandparents, Jane and Jim Newberry, Marjorie Caldwell and Annette May; Aunts and Uncles, Susan May; Gay and Gary Gaskins and their children, William, Walton and Maggy; Judy and Scott Caldwell and their children, Kristy, David, and John Michael; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be William Gregory, Nathan Gilbert, Hank Hamilton, Dustin Hammett, Jason Healy, Jacob Smith, Cole Johns and Jacob Griffin. Honorary Pallbearers will be Josh Halphan, Chase Breen, Michael Jordan, Randall Gilley, Austin Jans, Jeremy Lowe, Michael Colvin, Britton Barnes, Josh Grigs, Mark Banks, Kevin Carlisle, Rundell Hill, Heath Berry, Eric Bourquist, Braxton Reich, Josh Holstead, members of the 2000 WMHS Football Team and members of the First United Methodist Church Youth Group.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary in West Monroe, LA.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the First United Methodist Church in West Monroe, LA or the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-1942.

Ben often commented how deeply he appreciated the concern, prayers and attention he received from all his friends and family during his illness.