Frieda Park Caldwell

Frieda Park Caldwell, 90, formerly of Cape Girardeau, Mo., passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Frieda was a loving, intelligent woman who enjoyed her independence and cared for her family. Daughter. Sister. Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Teacher. Counselor. State Department Officer. Businesswoman. She did it all. Frieda was born in Lost Cane, Ark., on August 21, 1933, to Sam Fincher and Lorine Veach, local farmers/business owners. She grew up happy on a farm and attended Manila elementary and high school. She graduated from Memphis State and received a degree in English and Education. She married Tom F. Park and continued to teach English while giving birth to three children, Sam, Dana and Britt. These years included living in Portageville and Malden. Mo. As the children matured, she went back to school and received her master’s degree in childhood counseling and began a new career in 1965. Frieda continued her education and eventually moved into vocational school counseling at the high school and college levels. She retired while working for the Missouri State Vocational Department in Sedalia. After retirement, she decided to invest in houses to rent, and created FreePark Property Rentals in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She married William Caldwell in 2002 and moved to Illinois. Frieda traveled the world including London, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Spain, Mexico and Belize along with most of the U.S. states. She loved meeting people and visiting other cultures. Her favorite humorous saying was, “That’s the way the mop flops.” It served her well as Frieda never whined when facing adversity, always seeking ways to move forward with a positive attitude, a sense of grace and a wonderful sense of humor.

She is survived by her children, Sam F. Park (Los Angeles, Calif.), Dana Park (St. Peters, Mo.) and Britt Park (Wentzville, Mo); sisters, Maxine Gammill (Fort Worth, Texas) and Nancy Coleman (Jonesboro); brother, Sammy Fincher (Nashville, Tenn.); grandchildren, Lance Myer, Christopher Park and Veronica Everly. She also leaves 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 12 p.m. Monday, July 22, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila with pastor Kevin Crider officiating. Burial will follow in the Manila Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Monday from 10:30 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com.