Wanda Elaine Caldwell

Arden- Wanda Elaine Caldwell, 77, formerly of Clyde, passed away Friday, November 27, 2020 at Advent Health Center.

A native of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of the late William McKinley Smith, Jr. and Rubena Bailey Smith. Wanda was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Caldwell, who died in 2012.

A lifelong learner, Wanda earned her BS degree from East Carolina University and her Masters in English from Western Carolina University. She also received post graduate certifications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as an Educational Specialist and studied at Harvard through Post Graduate Scholarships for Work in Education. She spent her career in classroom instruction in both the Martin County and Haywood County School Systems teaching Honors English, American Literature, Public Speaking, Writing and Grammar. Wanda’s love of her students and influence in their education was recognized as she was nominated by students for selection in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2005.

Passionate about public service and politics, Wanda served in various organizations in an effort to make a difference. She helped pioneer the role of public members on State Boards. She served as a public member by appointment of former Governor James B. Hunt to both the North Carolina Board of Opticians and the North Carolina Board of Architecture. During her appointment to the Board of Architecture, she served as President and was honored to be named Member Emeritus to this Board. She was appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to serve on the Professional Teacher Review Committee. She was an active member of the Retired Teachers Association and the Haywood County Democrats.

Wanda met her lifelong love, Robert, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. Robert said when she walked onto the porch and smiled at him, he knew he would marry her. They were married for forty-eight years when he passed in 2012. They considered themselves a team and supported each other in life and careers. She was his “Redhead”.

Wanda loved to travel the world and experience different cultures. She extended her high school classroom instruction to her students by establishing a Travel Co-Op chaperoning students to England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Greece and Italy. She traveled world-wide with Robert experiencing life with her best friend.

Wanda is survived by her daughter, Tamera Edwards and her husband, David, of Etowah as well as two brothers, Richard Smith and his wife, Libby, of Greensboro, NC and Douglas Smith of Greenville, NC.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HCS Foundation for Retired School Personnel Scholarship Fund and be mailed to Jenny Wood, HCS Foundation, 1230 N. Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786 or to a charity or church organization of one’s choosing.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.