On December 12, 1928, in St. Matthews, SC, Ben and Albertha Caldwell welcomed Edith Alpha Caldwell Speakes Brown. On October 30, 2021, she left behind the agony of suffering, and was welcomed into the home of her Heavenly Father. For 92 years, she lived her life preparing herself, her children, and all with whom she engaged for her lofty ascent. Oh Lord, “How Great Thou Art.”
Edith’s parents, brother, Bernard Caldwell, and sister, Gervine Harris-Greene, have passed on to their Heavenly home. She often remarked that hardly anyone her age is left. Edith attached herself to the remaining octogenarians and nonagenarians, but she had an amazing connection to young men and women in her workplace, community, and church. Greenview First Baptist Church is where she was a member since 1962.
Edith attended a little community school while living on the “plantation.” No, there were no mounted horsemen. There was only love. All who lived humbly among the peach orchards and big white house were a harmonious community. “All HAIL THE POWER.” Grade school ended the education for many of her plantation mates, but Edith and Bernard left the security of their community and boarded with a family in Orangeburg, SC, to continue their education. Edith, a little girl, was responsible for caring for herself and her little brother while attending Wilkinson High School, Class of 1946. She always said, “I was never a child.”
Her first love was Mack Speakes. Back then, few women worked outside of the home. She was a lady before her time. She wanted to be a nurse. So, whenever Mack was deployed (United States Navy), she studied nursing at historic Waverly and Columbia hospitals in downtown Columbia, SC, which was the cradle of our “Harlem Renaissance.” She became an LPN after sitting for hours in the South Carolina State House Legislative chambers taking the state board examination, while under the auspices of “Jim Crow.” She made it! HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD.
In 1974, Edith and Ernest Brown married. What a friend we have in Jesus. They were the best Christian friends and loved each other dearly. She often remarked that her twelve years of marriage to Ernest were among the happiest of her life. HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.
Edith’s professional career spanned forty years. She nursed little babies at the old Columbia Hospital on Harden Street, where her surgical career began. Briefly, she cared for tuberculosis patients. Those days, I believe were similar to these covid days. She left that job abruptly and joined the staff at the VA Hospital. During most of her career she was a surgical nurse at the VA in Columbia. Jim Crow surfaced again. She was the lone nurse assigned to the most challenging cases, (Craniotomies and Thoracotomies). TRUST AND OBEY.
Edith Brown loved the Lord with all her heart. Losing her is painful indeed, but we must continue to ignite our spiritual flame and carry the torch.
Mrs. Edith Caldwell Brown leaves to cherish her legacy: her children, Gloria Myers Beller, Maxine (Willie) Tyler, Gary (Elizabeth) Speakes; grandchildren, Brantley Myers, Melani Myers, Aaron Tyler, Ryan (Victoria) Speakes; great-grandchildren, Peyton Speakes, Olivia Speakes, Winston Speakes, MacLane Speakes, nieces and nephews, Marcia Davis-Williams, Brenda (Reggie) Paris, and Bert (Robin) Caldwell; great-nieces and great-nephews, Nicole Davis, Julian Caldwell, Charnea Paris and son, Phoenix; cherished extended family, Frank Fogle, and Eartha Lee Barrow, along with numerous cousins, and Salley Caldwell.
My brother and I were truly shocked and saddened over the passing of Ms. Brown. We only learned of her passing on December 2. We were Ms. Brown’s next door neighbors on Token Street. Ms. Brown’s yard was our baseball field, football field and basketball court. Ms. Brown and our Mother were very good friends. As a kid growing up, it was nothing for me to just walk over to Ms. Brown’s house, walk in, sit around and talk to her, Maxine, Gloria and Gary. My mother, and brother along with Ms. Brown and her children all attended the same church, Greenview First Baptist.
As time went on, we lost contact with her, but whenever me and my brother got together, her name would always come up. Recently, we had been making plans to see her over the holidays.
My brother and I consider ourselves very fortunate to have had such a good woman as Ms. Brown as our neighbor and to have really known her. She was truly a kind, caring woman who always treated us as her own. Talking about Ms. Brown on yesterday, my brother and I came to the conclusion that one would be hard pressed to find a woman today of Ms. Brown’s grace, sincerity and spirituality.
Gloria, Maxine and Gary if you should read this, you should know that your mother was remarkable and (and really all of you) made growing up on Token Street a very beautiful experience.
It was truly a shock and sad to learn of Ms. Brown’s passing. But my brother and I thought and believe that life was so much better because of Ms. Brown as our neighbor-and for us, those memories have and will continue to carry us.
” Oh The Angels keep watching over me my Lord!” Her beautiful voice could sing like an angel! Rest in Peace Mrs. Brown.
Mellisa Mathis Young
Blessings to your family from the Hollis Family and members of Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church Family. Deacon and Mrs. Caldwell and their descendants formerly attended and worked diligently at RMBC.
Be encouraged and we know that the Jubilee Choir On the other side would welcome another Melodious Caldwell family daughter and member.
Cheryl P. Powell, /Hollis Family Representative and Friend.
I will miss her beautiful voice and loving demeanor. The heavenly choir has another soloist.
My heart goes out to the family and I will truly miss Mrs. Brown. I owe her so much because of her support and love throughout all the years in Columbia SC. If it was not for her, I would not be a member at Greenview First Baptist Church. I will always love you🥰☦🙏❣
Mrs Brown (Speaks, as I knew her growing up in Greenview) was always a wonderful and encouraging woman. She was always a stalwart of the Church who helped us grow up as children . I will always remember that.. Her actions showed she loved the Lord and lived by His word. May God Bless her family, and may Her memory bless them for all of their lives.
May God Bless You and Keep You.
The Alexander Middleton Family
Mrs. Brown was a woman with a strong voice and equally strong love and convictions. Our family has been extremely blessed to be in this woman’s presence and prayers. Condolences to her family.
May the work I done speak for me, so true for Mrs. Brown, she
worked she gave and she loved, the Lord, her family, friends and
the Church we will miss her. Praying for the family may God bless you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you , the family of Mrs Edith Brown.
Praying for you and your family. Mrs. Edith Brown was a woman of wisdom, comfort, and love. You were always caring and a true friend. God has a new angel by his side. You will truly be missed!
Our heartfelt condolences to the Brown family. We loved Mrs.Brown snd will miss her so much, She was always there for advice when needed and she was a constant encourager.
We will also miss her melodious voice.; loved to hear her sing.
Our prayers are with the family. Rest In Peace Mrs. Brown. Matthew and Sarah Pinckney-Holland
I will always cherish my time in Mrs. Brown’s Sunday School classes. Sending love and condolences to your family. You will be greatly missed.
Psalm 139:13-16
YOU MADE ALL THE DELICATE, INNER PARTS OF MY BODY, AND KNIT THEM TOGETHER IN MY MOTHERS WOMB. THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME SO WONDERFULLY COMPLEX! IT IS AMAZING TO THINK ABOUT. YOUR WORKMANSHIP IS MARVELOUS—AND HOW WELL I KNOW IT. YOU WERE THERE WHILE I WAS BEING FORMED IN UTTER SECLUSION! YOU SAW ME BEFORE I WAS BORN AND SCHEDULED EACH DAY OF MY LIFE BEFORE I BEGAN TO BREATHE. EVERY DAY WAS RECORDED IN YOUR BOOK!
I AM SO BLESSED AND GLAD THAT GOD ALLOWED US A TIME TO MEET AND FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER.
We had the pleasure of knowing, Mrs Brown through her commitment to Greenview Baptist Church, & her singing was so humbling, prayers & blessings to her family, Sincerely Michael & Beverly Crawford
To Gloria, Maxine and Gary: We pray that The Lord will continue to comfort, grant you peace, and keep you in His care, during this time of mourning. We will miss your Mother, but will always remember her beautiful voice, and the songs she loved to sing. Our condolences are extended to your entire family.
We will truly miss Mrs Brown a woman of God who always loved and helped others .
One of our favorite songs mrs Brown is known for is Angels keep watching over me, we will truly miss her voice . Praying for the family.
Mr and mrs William Sweeper
Sending our heartfelt condolences from the Bentley Family. May God grant you peace and comfort during this time.
Ms brown will truly be missed she was one faithful true Christian who loved the Lord and other people and always helping others when needed rest in peace sis brown I love you but god love you best.
Mrs. Edith Brown, great soul and songster of Greenview First Baptist! Now singing over in the Glory Land and going out sightseeing seeing in Beulah! Servant of God well done! Upholding daughters and son to the Great I Am!
Mrs. Brown, a great soul and songster of The Greenview First Baptist Church. Now a member of The Heavenly Choir, “going out sightseeing in Beulah, going sing and never get tired”! Upholding daughter’s and son to The Great I Am!
Prayers of condolences to Mrs. Brown’s family for the God of all comfort, to comfort and strengthen you during this difficult time of bereavement for your dear loved one.
May the heavenly Father’s minister to your hearts, souls, minds and spirits; and your fond memories of Mrs. Brown serve to bring you joy in the days ahead.
Warmly,
Mrs. Brown was a beautiful LADY. She expressed her faith by embracing everyone with true love. The example of her life is what bring us joy in spite of sadness .Her love for God helped her to endure to the end. Let’s do our best to follow her example.
Ms. Brown will truly will be missed and to her family look to the hills from whence cometh your help because all of your help comes from the Lord! You are in my family’s prayer may God keep each of you in his loving care🙏🙏
She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and had the opportunity to be touch by her wisdom , May continue to watch over and bless her family
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes…Rev 21:4. To the Brown Family, we love Mrs E. and we will miss her. May you find comfort in knowing that one day you will walk with your loved one in the place God has made for His own. Remembering you in your loss.
Rev & Mrs. Rodney and Sonia Lindsay
To the Brown Family,
Our prayers are with you now and in the days ahead.
Remembering a Beautiful life. Mrs. Brown, I will never forget you. You will always be in my heart.Until, we meet again at Jesus feet, Rest In Peace. With loving thoughts Betty Washington and family.