Paul Nathan Caldwell, Sr. Obituary (1945 - 2026)

Paul Nathan Caldwell Sr., 80, of Laurel, Delaware, passed away peacefully at home on February 14, 2026, Valentine’s Day, surrounded by his family. A devoted husband, father, pastor, and builder, his life was marked by faith, service, and unwavering love for his family and community. Paul was born on August 29, 1945, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the son of the late John and Gussie Caldwell. A skilled mason by trade, Paul owned and operated Caldwell and Sons Construction Company, building not only homes and structures but also a reputation for integrity and craftsmanship that spanned decades. In what he often described as one of the greatest miracles of his life, Paul was once sentenced to life behind bars. During that season, what was meant to confine him became the very ground where God refined him. While incarcerated, he became a respected spiritual leader among fellow inmates, teaching the Word, counseling others, and helping to foster peace and accountability within the institution. His transformation was undeniable. Through faith, perseverance, and divine intervention, he was granted early release — a testimony he carried humbly — and he went on to dedicate the rest of his life to Kingdom work, prison ministry, and outreach to those society often overlooks. He never forgot where he came from, and he used his story not as a badge of shame, but as living proof of redemption. A bona fide teacher of the Word of God, Paul’s greatest labor was in this ministry of faith and redemption. He dedicated his life to leading others to Christ through preaching, teaching, and personal discipleship. He co-founded the Assembly of Sons Ministry, an outreach ministry committed to spreading the Gospel beyond church walls. His prison ministry work included service at Baltimore Penitentiary in Baltimore, MD; Patuxent Institution in Jessup, MD; Wicomico Detention Center in Salisbury, MD; and Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover, Maryland, all over the span of two decades. For 40 years, he was actively involved with the Christian Shelter in Salisbury, Maryland, offering both spiritual and practical support to those in need. He later became an active member and co-pastor of Ross Point Freedom Church alongside his beloved wife, Pastor Shirley M. Caldwell. Through sermons, Bible studies, counseling, and thousands of personal writings, he faithfully taught Scripture with clarity, conviction, and compassion. Outside of ministry and construction, Paul had a curious and inventive spirit. He was an avid rare coin collector, enjoyed experimenting with cars, and loved science fiction films. In his earlier years, he found joy in playing basketball, singing, playing the guitar and fishing. He was also a prolific writer, leaving behind thousands of handwritten pages — teachings, reflections, and revelations — that stand as a testament to a lifetime spent studying and honoring God’s Word. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gussie Caldwell, his six siblings, and his son, Paul Caldwell Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife and ministry partner, Pastor Shirley M. Caldwell; his children, Febra (Anthony), Alonzo (Susan), Tondaleya (Lindell) and Vernon; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and countless friends whose lives were touched by his faith, wisdom, and steady presence. Paul Nathan Caldwell Sr. lived a life anchored in faith, strengthened by work, and defined by love. His legacy continues in the generations he raised, the lives he shepherded, and the Word he faithfully taught. That Paul entered eternal rest on Valentine’s Day feels more than coincidental to those who knew his story. Much like St. Valentine, who was arrested for his evangelism yet refused to renounce his faith, Paul endured imprisonment but would not deny the God he served. Instead, he emerged with a deeper calling — dedicating his life to ministering to the incarcerated, the forgotten, and the spiritually burdened. His passing on a day associated with love stands as a fitting symbol of a man whose life was defined by sacrificial love, redemption, and an unshakable commitment to the Gospel. Even in death, his story testifies that love — steadfast, faithful love — has the final Word.