Special to United Methodist Insight
Neill Caldwell possessed a journalist’s eye and a believer’s heart. Upon his passing from an unexpected illness on March 13, we honor the stories he told and the lives he touched. He was 65.
Whether writing for The United Methodist Church or community newspapers, Neill’s work was his calling.
“Both gave Neill a way to combine his passion for the kind of reporting that helped empower people,” said his wife, Rev. Lynne Caldwell. “It allowed him to connect his faith to the real world and speak about truth and justice.”
Neill Caldwell Jr.
Courtesy Photo
Neill grew up in Aberdeen, N.C., just south of Southern Pines. Immersed at a young age in church, sports and journalism, Neill graduated from Appalachian State University and worked as a reporter and editor on several North Carolina newspapers. While at The Dispatch in Lexington, he did a feature story on a Christmastime choral group and decided to interview the only singer he didn’t already know (Lexington being a small town). Neill and Lynne were married on April 5, 1997. For a wedding present, he gave her a framed copy of the article that included her photograph. They would have celebrated their 28th anniversary a week after the memorial service for Neill.
They were the love of each other’s lives.
Neill learned quickly to embrace the life of a Methodist pastor’s spouse. In other words, he learned to enjoy living in lots of places, finding his own ministry in telling stories.
When they moved to Richmond, Va., in 2006, he worked as a reporter for United Methodist News Service and editor of publications for the Virginia Conference. For years as a volunteer, he helped put on the annual meeting of the United Methodist Association of Communicators (UMAC). Communicators from across the nation gathered for seminars, fellowship and an awards banquet honoring those who most powerfully chronicled the church at work. There was Neill, scurrying to and fro, making sure everyone got the most from every moment.
Among his other faith-based jobs, he reported on the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church, the denomination’s highest "court.” This was Neill, learning as much as he could about whatever he got involved in: When he started covering Judicial Council meetings he got a Book of Discipline, a primer on Methodist theology and history, and a legal dictionary.
Testament to his gifts, Neill was presented the honor of Communicator of the Year by Bishop Charlene Payne Kammerer of the Virginia Annual Conference in 2004.
‘Neill’s Legacy Will Live On’
Further testament comes from those who knew Neill best.
Rev. Mark Barden, a retired pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference, worked with Neill on the Communications Commission. He was struck by how hard Neill worked to cover all perspectives on an issue.
“You don’t see many people like that nowadays,” Barden said.
This from David A. Snipes, President & CEO of the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina: “Neill never ceased to surprise me with his range of talents. Not only was he an avid sports fan, especially when it came to his beloved Appalachian State Mountaineers, but he was also a gifted storyteller, singer, stage performer, humorist, cheerleader, connector and, most importantly, partner to Lynne. In the mid-2000s, Neill produced the Foundation's annual reports, which earned several awards from UMAC, an organization he was proud to serve. Neill used his gifts as a storyteller to elevate the mission and vision of the Foundation. His contributions were particularly valuable after Sept. 11, a time of uncertainty in the markets and our country. Neill's legacy will live on through the ministry of the Foundation – and through the many lives he touched with his warmth and generous spirit.”
Rev. Deborah Coble, interim pastor of Cross Lanes United Methodist Church in Cross Lanes, W.Va., connected with Neill through UMAC and the Spring Forest faith community in Hillsborough, N.C. She appreciated how deeply he paid attention to other people. Neill knew of her passion for knitting, so when he spotted the coffee cup in a gift shop, he purchased it for Deborah. One side pictures a ball of yarn in the shape of a heart. On the other is inscribed “I KNIT SO I DON’T CHOKE PEOPLE. SAVE A LIFE…SEND YARN.”
“Neill embodied curiosity, joy, laughter and camaraderie,” Deborah said. “These are not just memories of Neill but lessons he taught by how he lived and served.”
Neill and Lynne moved to Winston-Salem in 2018. He served as editor of The Stokes News until retiring in 2022. He was writing and editing for several publications up until his death. From the start, Neill’s capacity to listen to people, and to bring their voices to life through his words, was a gift from God.
Lynne, former district superintendent of the (former) High Point District, serves now as pastor of Danbury Community Church in the Stokes County community of Danbury, N.C.
As painful as it is, Lynne is thankful for the many conversations she’s been able to have in recent days with friends and loved ones. Talking about Neill fills her heart. He was fascinated by his family ancestry. Everyone wanted him on their Trivial Pursuit team. He was an avid photographer, budding artist and enthusiastic actor in community theater.
Lynne said that those fortunate to have shared a cup of coffee with Neill usually found themselves deep in conversation. Sports, politics, movies, the church, all that and more filled his heart and mind.
“There is no way to measure the depth of how much Neill will be missed,” Lynne said. “But if we can listen as he did and help others tell their stories and communicate that their stories matter, Neill’s legacy will live on.”
Neill’s full obituary is at www.bolesfuneralhome.com, where you can share condolences. A memorial service was held Saturday, March 29, at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 1002 N. Sandhills Blvd. in Aberdeen, N.C.
Donations in Neill’s memory can be made to Helene recovery efforts at https://bit.ly/WNCCHurricaneReliefDonations. Checks can be made out to “Office of Disaster Response,” P.O. Box 2757, Huntersville, N.C. 28070. Write “Helene” in the memo line. You can also donate a tree or trees for reforestation programs in Western North Carolina at www.plantatree.fs.usda.org or give to your church, synagogue, mosque or charity of your choice.
Freelance writer/editor Ken Garfield is former Director of Communications at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte. He can be reached at garfieldken3129@gmail.com.This article is republished with permission from the website of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.