RYE — Maurice L. Caldwell,

age 84, of Rye, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2020 as the result of a spinal cord injury and Alzheimer’s disease. He was born June 7, 1935 in Yorktown (Lincoln County) to the late R.A. and Lula Scott Caldwell. Maurice was a graduate of Lake Village High School, Arkansas A&M College (Now UAM) and the University of Tennessee School of Social Work.

He was a member of Union United Methodist Church in Rye Community (Cleveland County), where he was very active, serving as lay speaker/servant. At the time of his retirement, he was the mental health administrator of the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He was also active in his profession of administrative social work throughout the state and in his local community.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Ann Baugh Caldwell of Rye; son, Marcus Caldwell of Arkadelphia; daughter, Nancy (Chris) Scelfo of Fairhope, Ala.; brother, Lamar (Linda) Caldwell of Monticello; four grandchildren, Lauren Caldwell of Kansas City, Mo., Marcus Caldwell Jr. of Little Rock, Sarah Scelfo (Ross) Hollis of Fairhope, Ala. and Joseph Scelfo II of Hammond, La.; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Union United Methodist Church at Rye with the Rev. Boyd Savage officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30PM until funeral time Thursday at the church. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery at Yorktown. Pallbearers are Lauren Caldwell, Marcus Caldwell Jr., Sarah Scelfo Hollis, Joseph Scelfo II, Zachary Baugh and Jonathan Baugh.

Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online guestbook at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.