In 1944, the Kluchar and Caldwell families lived on neighboring farms in Ohio but Roland,10, had no time for little girls—not even pretty Annette, who was 7. Instead he became friends with her brothers, but a few years later he took a closer look and discovered that “the cute little girl had grown up and was now a beautiful young lady. ”He was instantly smitten, he said.

Years later the boy, now known as  R. G. Caldwell, Senior, co-founder of Caldwell Trust Company, wrote,“For the rest of their lives, the little girl and that little boy moved from being neighbors to friends, to steadies, to engaged, and finally to marriage in 1955. Naval service, time apart and no money—nothing would ever get in the way of a wondrous and adventurous lifetime together, working, raising children, getting a GI Bill college education, living on board their boat in the Bahamas, both eventually founding two successful businesses in Florida, before they retired to their little cabin in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains.”

Annette Kluchar Caldwell passed away in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on April19 at the age of 76. She was the mother of Deborah (Debbie) of SugarLand, Texas and MaryAnn (Dr. Molly), and Roland Jr. (Kelly), both of Venice, Florida. She was also the grandmother of seven greatly beloved grandchildren: Andrew, Jay, Jamie, Will, Brooks, Zach and Chase.

She was a keen businesswoman and community-oriented person. In the1970s, she founded and operated Keys-Caldwell, Inc., a prominent property management firm inVenice. She was also a member of Rotary Clubs in Florida and Tennessee and a director of the Big Brothers and Sisters Sun Coast of Florida.

Annette’s guidance helped to shape the characters of her children and grandchildren. Her loving spirit will continue to infuse the family-oriented,warm culture of CaldwellTrust Company.

Annette Caldwell reads to three ofher seven grandchildren while Roland watches.The boys captivated by her story are the sons ofMelissa and R.G.“Kelly”Caldwell,Jr.:Brooks,8; Zachary,6;and Chase,5.