WILMINGTON — Ann Greene Caudle, 91, of Wrightsville Beach, NC, went to be with her Lord on January 18, 2023, with her family by her bedside and her husband of 70 years holding her hand. She was born in Wilson, NC, on April 16, 1931. She was preceded in death by her parents, Inez Alexander and Fred Woodside Greene, and her sisters Alice Simms and Helen Murchison. Ann graduated from Broughton High School, Raleigh, NC 1949, attended Mary’s Junior College and WC-UNC (UNC-Greensboro) and was a member of multiple charity and philanthropic organizations throughout her life including P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization). She enrolled in DAR as a proud descendent of Hezekiah Alexander, an author of the Mecklenberg Declaration of Independence, volunteered at Lower Cape Fear Hospice, a Member of Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church and the Carolina Yacht Club.
She is survived by her husband, Fitz Caudle, daughters Jean Coffman and husband David Coffman and Debra Peters and husband Ralph Peters, grandsons Cole Walking Eagle and wife Tiffany, Clay Walking Eagle and wife Laura, grandsons Tucker, Tanner, Talon and #4 on the way, granddaughter Kamora Bear Stops, sisters Gladys Newsom and Fredricka Ledford, brother-in-law Robert Caudle. She was honored to be considered a grandmother, mother and sister to many others. Her love of children was profound. She never missed the chance to babysit her own grandchildren and anyone elses if given the chance. No child was a stranger even when out in public. She was a baby whisperer. She had many nieces and nephews all of whom she loved very dearly. “Genuinely Loving” best captures her spirit. So many people were so dear to her, too many to mention.
Besides visits from her children and grandchildren and all the surrogate children she amassed through the years, the highlight of her life included her “solo prayer walks” on the beach to find shells, adventures in cooking, crafting, “BTL””pickling contests and travel with her BFF Lou Powers, concerts with Billy Holt, her annual reunion with the Golden Girls from Broughton High School, Dora Cooper Beal, Betty MacAffee, Wynn Norman, Jeffrey Ann Moore, Carol Hensley, Virginia Mowrey, Jean McGhee, Ann Kelly and Carolyn Evan
Creative and talented artist, an accomplished golfer, amazing Southern Cook, loved gardening her Geraniums, Hydrangeas, and Orchids and held the family record for the largest sheepshead and flounder caught off her dock. If the grandchildren were on the dock fishing, she was there with them. Ann loved serving others her whole life through her Church Family and had a special calling to minister comfort and companionship to those in the hospital, nursing homes and hospice. She always left a special gift, a stuffed F.R.O.G. to represent her faith: FULLY RELYING ON GOD. She lived her faith and showered blessings on all she met. Her Blue eyes always sparkled and her smile warmed hearts.
Our family was blessed beyond measure to witness her miraculous recovery from a devastating aneurysm 8/6/2018 and a stroke 4/6/2021. At 87 years old, she overcame tremendous physical challenges that forever took her independence and changed her quality of life but did not waiver her faith and perseverance to live with joy, grace, and gratitude. Even though she was no longer able to cook or garden, take walks on the beach or visit family and friends, she praised God morning and night, delighted in each day, had an infectious laugh and generously showered compliments on those around her. She became our inspiration. Her extended family members grew to include the dedicated loving caregivers that were with her day and night. Special thanks to Gabriella DuBose, Joanne Valenzuela, Elizabeth DeLamater, Barbara Raynor, Olivia Gooden, Sarah Musleh, Anna Davis, Suzie Hess, Tery Brouwer, Ramona Jones, Sondra Dron and many others over the last 4 years. For the grace and dignity of her final days, we thank Chris and Nicole of Amedysis Hospice.
God Bless all her dear friends and neighbors that faithfully continued to be part of her life and brought smiles to her face and inspired her with each special visit, even in the days and hours before she left us.
Memorial services will be held at Myrtle Grove Evangelical Presbyterian Church on February 19, 2023 at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Myrtle Grove Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Wilmington NC or Lower Cape Fear Hospice.