Bro. Lester Caldwell

Bro. James Lester Caldwell, 84, of Corinth, KY, passed away Monday October 9, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center – Florence. Born November 25, 1938 in Jonesville, KY, he was the son of the late Kirtley and Elisa Jane Scroggins Caldwell.

Upon his high school graduation, he attended Georgetown College. On March 1, 1958 he was united in marriage to the former Janice McBee; she preceded him in death on May 23 of this year. On August 1, 1964 in enlisted in the U.S. Army where he proudly served his country. At an early age he answered the call to ministry; on August 2, 1962 at Concord Baptist Church (Golds Valley Rd) he was ordained into the Gospel Ministry. He dedicated his entire life to being a faithful husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a devoted servant for his Lord.  He will be remembered as “a pastor that could teach and a pastor that could preach.” He pastored 10 churches in a ministry that spanned over sixty years; through it all he was supported by his “helpmate in ministry”, his wife, Janice.

His greatest gift in ministry was..…his genuine, non-judgmental, unconditional love for everyone.  The following is a list of the churches he pastored (in chronological order): Beaver Baptist Church (Harrison Co.), Knoxville Baptist Church (Grant Co.), Waco Baptist Church (Madison Co.), Lawrenceville Baptist Church (Grant Co.), Butler Baptist Church (Pendleton Co.), Northside Baptist Church (Mt. Vernon, KY), Calvary Baptist Church (Mercer Co.), Bethlehem Baptist Church (Somerset, KY), Cedar Point Baptist Church (Nancy, KY) and Gumlick Baptist Church in Grant County, where he currently held his membership. Farming and tending to his cattle provided opportunity for him to reflect and spend time alone with God.

He is survived by three daughters: Darlene Caldwell of Amelia, OH, Debbie (Rusty) Lykes of Florence, KY, Dianna (Chris) Thompson of Frankfort, KY;  two sisters: Elnora (Pete) Howe of Florence, KY, Patsy (Jerry) Adkins of Dry Ridge, KY, along with eight grandchildren: Kris (Chad) Duncan, Katie (Shanon) Edwards, Lesley Lykes, Lyndsay Phillips, Rob (Katie) Lykes, Brittany (Ross) Uminger, Trevor Austin, Savanah Austin and 12 great-grandchildren: Alex Phillips, Daden Couri, Tate Edwards, Bodhi Edwards, Isla Austin, Jacob Armstrong, Jameson Gates, Levi Gates, Elsie Phillips, Audrey Uminger, Noah Uminger and Lucas Uminger, all of whom lovingly called him “Papaw.” In addition to his wife, Janice, he was preceded in death by three brothers: Leonard Caldwell, Denver Caldwell, Walter Caldwell and three sisters: Louise Vannarsdall, Christine Kinman and Carolene Kinman.

Visitation will be Tuesday October 17, 2023 at Stanley Funeral Homes – Williamstown from 11:00 a.m.  till  1:00 p.m.  Funeral services will begin at 1:00 with Rev. Jimmy Whitaker officiating.  Burial will follow in Hill Crest Cemetery in Dry Ridge.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Gideon’s International – Grant Camp, P.O. Box 222, Williamstown, KY  41097.