Kathryn Valenica Caldwell

Kathryn Valencia Caldwell was born on November 28, 1956, to Verle and Billie Jean Parton. On September 27, 2026, at the age of 69, Kathryn went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by the people she loved most—her family.

Although saying goodbye is one of the hardest things we will ever have to do, there is comfort in knowing that Kathryn did not leave this world alone. She was surrounded by the love of her family, and as her time here came to an end, she was welcomed home by the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.

There are some people who simply leave a mark on your life. Kathryn was one of those people.

She was the kind of woman who loved with her whole heart. She was loving, caring, giving, tender-hearted, smart, and strong. She could do just about anything you put in front of her, and if she didn't know how to do something, she would figure it out. She gave so much of herself to the people around her without ever asking for anything in return.

But more than anything, Kathryn was family.

She was a beloved wife to Larry Caldwell, and together they built a life filled with memories, challenges, laughter, love, and family. She was a mother to Frank Caldwell, Valencia Suarez, and Caleb Caldwell, and being their mother was one of the greatest joys of her life.

To her children, she wasn't just Mom.

She was the person they could turn to. The person who could make things better. The person whose voice, hugs, advice, and presence made the world feel a little safer.

She was the mother who showed her love through everything she did—through a meal prepared with love, a house decorated for a holiday, a handmade craft, a conversation, a laugh, or simply being there.

And then came the grandchildren, who brought another kind of joy into her heart.

Kathryn was a proud grandmother to Rebecca Caldwell, Kerrissa Caldwell, Colton Caldwell, David Arreola, Ryan Arreola, Katie Caldwell, Brandon Caldwell, and Sage Chbouk. She was also a loving great-grandmother to Ayden Davila Razo, Mireya Davila Razo, Elias Davila Razo, and Leilani Arreola.

Her family was her world.

She loved having everyone together. She loved the noise, the laughter, the stories, the food, and the memories. She loved knowing that the people she loved were close.

And now, those same people will have to learn how to live in a world without her physical presence.

But Kathryn's love didn't disappear when she took her last breath.

It lives on in every person she touched.

It lives in her children.

It lives in her grandchildren.

It lives in her great-grandchildren.

It lives in the traditions she passed down, the recipes she made, the stories she told, the laughter she shared, and the memories that will be told for generations.

Kathryn loved life. She was an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan, and she never hesitated to cheer for her team. She loved sewing, arts and crafts, going to the lake, and spending time with her family.

She loved to dance and sing. She knew how to have a good time and could easily become the life of the party. She had an energy and spirit that made people want to be around her.

She was also an incredible athlete, excelling at softball, basketball, and volleyball. She was competitive, determined, and never afraid to give something her all.

Kathryn was also deeply proud of her heritage. She was a member of the Indian Club in high school, loved attending powwows, and cherished the opportunity to celebrate and honor the heritage that was such an important part of who she was.

And if there was one thing Kathryn knew how to do, it was make a house feel like home.

Every holiday, she would decorate the house and make the occasion special. She loved cooking for her family and bringing everyone together around the table.

Those are the moments that will hurt the most to remember—and somehow, they will also become the most precious.

Because one day, someone will decorate for Christmas and think of Grandma.

Someone will make one of her recipes and remember Mom.

Someone will hear a song she loved and remember the way she danced.

Someone will watch the Sooners play and think of her cheering from the couch.

Someone will laugh at a family story and say, “Kathryn would have loved this.”

And in those moments, she will still be here.

Kathryn is survived by her loving husband, Larry Caldwell; her brother, Carl Parton; her sister, Valdina Loch; her children, Frank Caldwell, Valencia Suarez, and Caleb Caldwell; her eight grandchildren; and her four great-grandchildren.

We will miss her voice.

We will miss her laugh.

We will miss her hugs.

We will miss seeing her walk through the door.

We will miss having one more holiday with her.

One more meal.

One more conversation.

One more laugh.

One more “I love you.”

But most of all, we will miss simply knowing that she was here.

Still, through all of our tears, we hold onto our faith.

We believe Kathryn is no longer hurting. She is no longer tired. She is no longer struggling.

She is home.

She has traded this earthly life for eternal life. She has been welcomed into Heaven and is now in the presence of the God she trusted.

And although we cannot see her, we know that the love she gave us will never leave us.

The Bible tells us in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

So this is not goodbye forever.

It is simply goodbye for now.

Until we meet again, Kathryn.

Until the day we see your smile again.

Until the day we hear your voice again.

Until the day we get to hug you again.

Rest peacefully, Mom. Rest peacefully, Grandma. Rest peacefully, Great-Grandma. Rest peacefully, Wife, Sister, and Friend.

You spent your life loving and taking care of everyone else.

Now it is time for you to rest.

You were loved more than words could ever express, and you will be missed more than words could ever say.

Your family will carry you with them every day.

Your love will continue through every generation.

And your memory will live in our hearts forever.

Until we meet again in Heaven.

We love you, Kathryn, Mother, Wife, SisterWe always will.