Elizabeth Shinnick Caldwell

 CHAPEL HILL - Elizabeth (“Ki”) Shinnick Caldwell, 76, passed away in Chapel Hill, NC, on February 26, 2022. She was born in Richmond, VA, on October 27, 1945, to the late Virginia Woodhouse Prince Shinnick and William Bray Shinnick.

Raised in Richmond, Ki graduated from high school at Collegiate School in 1963. She went on to study English and Psychology at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA, completing her undergraduate degree in 1966, in a mere three years’ time.  Later in her career, she received her Masters in Education from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX (’89). 

A lifelong educator, Ki brought her talents to several prestigious schools including Collegiate School (Richmond), St. John’s School (Houston, TX), Durham Academy (Durham, NC), and Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill (NC).  From 1989 to 1991, she was awarded the distinguished W. Bryan Trammell, Jr. Chair in English at St. John’s School.

Ki always gave her entire self -- her remarkable intelligence, wit, passion, and creativity -  to her students. Awards aside, her central legacy will survive in the hearts and minds of the thousands of students whom she touched and inspired. She was an incredibly beloved teacher, with so many lives transformed by her gifts.

Her generosity of spirit also transformed those in her personal life. She met her first love, Roper Vaughan, as a child in 5th grade, and after growing up together, they married in 1965. With Roper she had two daughters, Grace Sterling Vaughan (d. 1973), whom she called her “heaven angel,” while second child, Whitney Bray Vaughan, (Chapel Hill) was always her “earth angel.”

In 1982, Ki remarried the one other love of her life, Rev. Martin Caldwell, in Houston, TX. Martin imbued their life with intellect, humor, and an unshakable love. They remained in Houston until 1993, when they moved to Durham, NC. As an interim minister, Martin introduced Ki to so many loving individuals from congregations at St. Philips, Chapel of the Cross, St. Titus, St. Stephens, and many others. 

Ki was a master at developing lifelong friendships— from childhood and church, from her teaching positions, and even from passing strangers.  She was also preternaturally beautiful with a stunning smile that could disarm even a stoic. Ki’s presence was one of light and love, and the depth of her kindness was something all too rare in this world.

Elizabeth “Ki” Caldwell is survived by her sister, Frances “Fluff” Manderson of Columbus, GA; daughter Whitney Bray Vaughan of Chapel Hill; and stepdaughters Jennifer Vogel of Asheville, NC, and Rebecca Fowler of Loudon, TN. Ki was the loving grandmother to Katharine, Peter and Susanna Vogel.  Ki was preceded in death by her daughter, Grace Sterling Vaughan; her husband, Rev. Martin Caldwell (d. 2013); and her sister, Margaret “Peg” Federhart (d. 2015).

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.,with a reception immediately following at Church of the Holy Family, 200 Hayes Road, Chapel Hill, NC. The burial will take place in early-to-mid May of 2022, at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA.

The Caldwell family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.  For online condolences, please visit www.hallwynne.com, and select “obituaries.”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth , please visit our floral store. Flowers may be sent to Church of the Holy Family, at the address listed above.