Sharon Stevenson Caldwell, 82, of Lookout Mountain, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. She was surrounded by those who loved her most — her four children and her loving husband of 62 years, Robert H. Caldwell.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio to William Clifford and Helen Herms Stevenson, she attended Laurel School, Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio; Briarcliff Junior College in New York.
A renowned artist, she was known for her picturesque landscapes of the scenes she loved most - the coast of Maine, Tuscany, Ireland, Greece, and especially the beautiful mountains and scenery in the Tennessee River Gorge. She often said how much she loved nature and was always looking for the interesting combinations of color and light that would shape her paintings. She passed along this creative spirit to her family. Her paintings brought joy to so many people.
Sherry was involved in many local community projects and was a member of the Garden Club of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Watercolor Society, the Association of Visual Arts and was a charter member of the InTown Gallery in Chattanooga.
Her ability to express her thoughts in a witty manner was evident with her delivery of amusing one-liners. When told by her husband that he loved her sense of humor, she responded, “Well I could do with a little more sense and a little less humor!"
Sherry was known for her class, beauty and sense of style. To the end, she maintained her grace, charm and dignity. She loved meeting with the Golden Oldies, an every-Saturday lunch gathering with her good friends. Sherry was ahead of her time with her insistence on a clean environment as her children were often reminded.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Mack West.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Caldwell of Lookout Mountain; her children, Bob Caldwell Jr., of Lookout Mountain, Betsy (Jay) Dalgliesh of Charlottesville, Va., Chris (Michael) Zimmerman of Greenwich, Ct., Sherry (Dudley) West of Nashville, Tn.; and her grandchildren, William Caldwell; Caldwell, Elizabeth and Russell Zimmerman; and Betsy and Mary Stevenson West.
Memorial services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, with the Reverend Robert Childers and the Reverend Hank Anthony officiating. Internment will follow the service in Harriet Caldwell Memorial Garden.
The family will receive friends from 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416 or to Tennessee River Gardens, P.O. Box 292, Lookout Mountain, Tn. 37350.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.