Johnnie L. Caldwell

Reverend Dr. Johnnie L. Caldwell, affectionately known as "Brother Johnnie" went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, March 10, 2012.

One of six children, Brother Johnnie was born January 5, 1919 in Maiden, NC to John Edward and Georgie Esther (Laney) Caldwell.

Brother Johnnie volunteered to serve his country on February 29, 1941; he was a medic in the Sixth Calvary Medical Corp, U.S. Army during WWII. He was involved in numerous major battles including the invasion of Oran, Africa and Gela, Sicily. Serving under Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. George S. Patton and Gen. Mark W. Clark he earned seven bronze stars.

Brother Johnnie served 52 years in the Southern Baptist ministry as pastor of nine different churches in SC, FL and NC. His life is summed up in the song "Others"; he gave himself in love, ministering to the needs of others and always reflecting the love of the Lord in his life and sharing the Gospel. Brother Johnnie will be greatly missed but his work will go on through those he ministered.

Although Brother Johnnie never hung his degrees on the wall in his office or sat behind his desk, he liked to tell others about three degrees he was most proud of: BA "Born Again," PhD "Past Having Doubts," and DD "Devil Disturber."

Brother Johnnie was a member of Northwood Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Wake Forest College, Winston-Salem, NC; Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC and Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, Pineville, KY.

He is survived by his wife Alice L. Caldwell, Goose Creek, SC; son, John A. Caldwell and wife Carolyn, Roswell, GA; daughter Kathy Osteen and husband Bobby, Walterboro, SC; step daughters, Cindy and her husband Carroll Lawrimore, Hemmingway, SC and Diane and her husband Marvin Larrimore, Sumter, SC; two sisters: Helen Varsalona and husband Joe, Brandon, FL and Mary Virginia Dawson, Kannapolis, NC; four grandchildren Jason Caldwell, Jamie and her husband Jim Choi, John and his wife Toni Allison Osteen, Katie Osteen; great grandson John Asher Osteen; two step-grandchildren Caleb and Andrew Larrimore.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay E. Pennington Caldwell in 1988, brother, James Caldwell and two sisters: Okla Losey and Norma Lee Rowe.

His family wishes to thank all those who have helped and supported Johnnie, Aging Gracefully, Odyssey Hospice, Veterans Victory House and Colleton County Medical Center.

The family will receive friends Monday, March 12, 2012, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., NORTHWOODS CHAPEL, 2180 Greenridge Road, North Charleston, SC. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Northwood Baptist Church with interment to follow at Carolina Memorial Park where military honors will be rendered.

Memorials may be made to Northwood Baptist Church, 2200 Greenridge Road, North Charleston, SC 29406, The Alzheimer's Association SC Chapter, 2090, Charleston, SC 29407or to Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.