Dorothy Nell Caudle

“And her children arise up and call her blessed.” – Proverbs 31:28

Dorothy Nell “Dot” Steinman Caudle was born on July 5, 1930, in Priddy, Texas, one of thirteen children of Willie Louis and Wilhelmine Becker Steinman. She passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Wake Village, Texas, surrounded by her loving family.

Dot lived a life marked by faith, resilience, and joy. A homemaker and full-time mother, she poured her heart into creating a warm and loving home. She delighted in attending church, teaching Sunday school, tending her plants, cooking meals that brought family together, birdwatching, and playing weekly cards with her friends. She especially loved beating her grandchildren in card games and Yahtzee, always with a twinkle in her eye.

She graduated from Priddy High School and remained deeply connected to her roots, carrying forward a spirit of compassion and care. As a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Wake Village, she found joy in her faith and the community that enriched her life.

On March 19, 1949, Dorothy married Bill Birdwell, and together they welcomed four children: Bill, Tom, Pam, and Lorna. After Bill’s passing in 1968, she married Bill Cope on February 28, 1970, and was blessed with a daughter, Julie. Later in life, she met and shared her life with husband, Donald Caudle, until his passing.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; nine of her siblings; her husbands, Bill Birdwell, Bill Cope, and Donald Caudle; and her son, Christopher Thomas “Tom” Birdwell.

She is survived by her children: Billy Gene Birdwell and wife Barbara of Santa Fe, Texas; Pamela June Gorman and husband Richard of Lubbock; Lorna Kay Yochum and husband Steve of Texarkana; and Julie Ann Anderson and spouse Desaray of Texarkana. She leaves behind a legacy carried forward by twelve grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren—each of whom was blessed by her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love. She is also remembered with love by her siblings Rosa Lee Hull, Benjamin Steinman, and Mary Seider.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Wake Village, Texas, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

An additional visitation for Dorothy will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman, Texas. Following the visitation, a graveside service will take place at the Coleman City Cemetery Pavilion at 2:00 p.m., where family and friends will gather to celebrate her extraordinary life and enduring spirit.

Though her earthly presence will be dearly missed, her loved ones find peace in knowing she is whole in the presence of her Savior. Her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will remain a guiding light for all who knew her.

We invite you to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the family by signing the guestbook on Dorothy’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Caudle family.