Bessie Caldwell

Bessie Short Caldwell, 95 of Helton, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, October 8, 2026. She was born in Red Bird on February 23, 1931, a daughter of the late Charlie and Cordelia Caldwell Short. Bessie was a believer in the Holiness Faith and a member of Dry Fork Holiness Church. She had been a homemaker.

In addition to her parents, Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Caldwell; daughter-in-law, Sandra Kay Caldwell; sons-in-law, Orville Lee Pate and Dan L. Johnson; sisters, Sallie Mae Wilson, Nettie Caldwell, and Christine Daniels; brothers, Henry Short, John D. Short, Charlie Short, Jr., Eugene Short, Nelson Short, and Carson Short.

Bessie is survived by her daughters, Phyllis Pate and Diane Johnson; sons, Michael Caldwell and Charles Caldwell and his fiancée, Debra; grandchildren, Juston Pate, Lindsay Johnson Townsend, Chad Caldwell, Adam Johnson, and Kristin Howard; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 PM on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home with Rev. Roscoe Asher and Dr. Juston Pate presiding. Burial will follow at the Honey Branch Cemetery in Middlefork. Pallbearers will be Chad Caldwell, Brayden Caldwell, Juston Pate, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pineville, which is honored to serve the Caldwell Family.