Edna (Whitaker) Caudill

Edna Whitaker Caudill, 94, of Jeffersontown, KY, passed away on April 10, 2022.

Edna was predeceased by her parents, Solomon and Lonna Whitaker, her husband, Hendricks D Caudill, Jr, one son, Ken Douglas Caudill; one brother, Edgar Whitaker, and one sister, Virginia Whitaker Caudill. She is survived by two sons, Michael (Marcia) Caudill of Carcassonne, KY, Robert (Barbara) Caudill of Louisville, and one daughter, Lonna Ann Caudill who lived with her in Jeffersontown. Other survivors are three sisters: Nona Whitaker Roark, Betty Ann Whitaker (Harlin) Eldridge, and Glenna Whitaker (Emory) Caudill, two brothers, Stewart (Frances) Whitaker, and Larry (Betty) Whitaker; eight grandchildren, Marshall Alan (Erin) Caudill, Matthew Brent (Tabatha) Caudill, Megan Cara Caudill, Marissa Alise Caudill, Madeline Anne Caudill, Emma Elizabeth Caudill, Matthew Alexander Rendon, and Hunter Lee Caudill; and one great-grandson, Daniel Andrew Caudill; one special great-nephew, Jonathan (Ashley) Eldridge, as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, and her sisters and brothers in Christ at Antioch Old Regular Baptist Church.

Edna was born in Elsie Coal, KY (now Premium) on June 25,1927. She was valedictorian of her high school class at Carcassonne, KY, in 1944, at age 16. She attended Caney College (now Alice Lloyd College) and received her BS and MA degrees from EKU. She taught elementary school for many years beginning at age 18 in Letcher County, then Madison County and Owensboro, before retiring from Jefferson County Schools. She spent most of her professional career in elementary education with a particular fondness for teaching first graders.

She was a lifetime member of Phi Delta Kappa, JCTA, KEA, NEA, JCRTA, KRTA, and PTA, as well as the Ladies Auxiliary of the 36th Division, 143rd Infantry, Company I. Before 2021, she was an active member of two bowling leagues in the Louisville area.

Edna was fond of word Jumble problems, but gave them up when the Courier Journal reduced the font size while increasing the subscription rate. She was a voracious reader - a passion she passed on to her children, grandchildren, and students. Her love of reading and teaching was exceeded only by her affection for her beloved husband and family. After rewarding careers in education, Edna and Hendricks both retired in 1985. They traveled extensively during this time visiting much of the continental US as well as Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, France, and Scotland. After her husband’s death she traveled to Ireland with Michael’s family. She found immense solace in the Antioch Old Regular Baptist church, which she and Hendricks had attended for many years; she was baptized November 7, 2010. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Visitation in Louisville will be Thursday, April 14 at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home at 10600 Taylorsville Road, Jeffersontown, KY 40299 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM with a religious observation beginning at 6:30 PM.

Visitation in Whitesburg will be held at the Letcher Funeral Home, 102 Main St., Whitesburg, KY 41858 on Friday, April 15, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM with Funeral Services on Saturday, April 16, at 11:00 AM, with graveside service at the Solomon Whitaker Cemetery in Carcassonne, Kentucky to follow.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Louisville chapter of the American Cancer Foundation, Hosparus of Louisville, and/or the Antioch Old Regular Baptist Church.