WILMINGTON — Evelyn Jane Caudle Lewis Musselwhite, 79 of Wilmington North Carolina passed away peacefully on Monday morning, September 21, 2026.
Jane was born on December 16, 1946, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, one of four children born to the late Morris and Gladys Caudle-Doster. She grew up alongside her siblings, Francis “Fran” Jordan, Brawner Caudle, and Michael Caudle, on the family farm in Harrisburg, North Carolina. It was there that Jane developed her strong work ethic, her lifelong love of plants and animals, and an appreciation for the hard work of picking cotton.
Music was an important part of the Caudle household. Her brothers, Brawner and Michael, played guitar and other instruments, while Fran played the piano. Jane contributed her beautiful soprano voice, joining Fran and their mother, Gladys, in three-part harmony. Those early years created a lifelong love of music that remained an important part of Jane’s life.
Jane married Larry Lewis in 1964 and they welcomed a daughter Vanessa Lewis in 1966 and their second daughter, Jacinda Lewis in 1971. Jane and Larry made their home in Wilmington, NC where they enjoyed the beaches and surf fishing until his death in 1988.
Jane found her professional calling in real estate. Her outgoing personality, genuine interest in people, and natural ability to connect with others made the profession a perfect fit. She loved meeting new people and helping families find a place to call home in the Wilmington area. Although she earned numerous sales awards throughout her career, Jane’s greatest measure of success was the relationships she built. Many of her clients became lifelong friends because of the warmth, care, and personal attention she brought to her work.
Jane later married John Musselwhite and found in him a soulmate and partner for countless adventures. Jane and John shared a love of dancing and became known around Wilmington as the “Two-Stepping King and Queen.” They enjoyed concerts spanning many genres of music and traveled the world together, creating treasured memories along the way. Of all their adventures, South Africa held a particularly special place in Jane’s heart. At the time of her passing, they had been married for 36 years.
Above all, Jane cherished her family. She is survived by her husband, John Musselwhite; her daughters, Vanessa Capps (John) of Wilmington, NC and Jacinda Snow (Chris) of Cary, NC; four granddaughters, Amber Schlipp (Matt) of Willard, NC, Madeline Snow of Chapel Hill, NC, Savannah Snow of Cary, NC, and Evia Capps of Wilmington, NC; and three great-grandchildren, Rudy Rodriguez, Weston Rodriguez, and Emma Rodriguez. She is also survived by her brothers, Brawner Caudle and Michael Caudle.
In addition to her parents and first husband, Jane was preceded in death by her sister, Francis (Fran) Jordan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina; PO Box 127, 400 Flemington Drive, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
