Bobbie Jean Bailey Caldwell

Bobbie Jean Bailey Caldwell was born on May 20, 1949 in Freer, Texas, to Ollie Mae and Robert Jefferson Bailey and passed away on January 28, 2025, in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Bobbie moved around in her early years and graduated high school in 1968 from Carlisle High School. She then moved on to Sam Houston in Huntsville where she graduated with a degree in Social Work. She met her husband, Bill, in Athens, Texas, while working for Child Protective Services. They were married on July 26, 1975. After marrying, they moved to Baton Rouge, LA, for graduate school at Louisiana State University. After graduation, they moved to the Monroe area for work, where they raised their family.

Her entire career was dedicated to helping kids and underserved demographics. She believed that everyone deserves a chance and made it her mission to always ensure that was the case. Once she moved to north Louisiana, she worked as a master social worker at GB Cooley in West Monroe for over 10 years and then began working as a behavioral specialist in Jonesboro ISD for nearly 20 years. During her time in Jonesboro, she worked for Grambling State University as a mentor for social work students where she made a huge impact on many of the next generation of social worker’s lives and careers. She also worked as a master social worker at Johnny Robinson’s Boys Home in Monroe for almost forty years.

Bobbie’s grandchildren were one of her primary joys. Their “Bob” made the long drive down I-20 to Texas to be a part of every activity, party, or concert that she possibly could. She rode every rollercoaster they wanted, bought them way too many toys, and ensured that every fundraiser they ever did was maxed out. She was a beloved and constant presence in their lives.

She loved all things Disney, the Texas A&M Aggies, and the Kansas City Chiefs, and was almost always wearing something to show her love. She was extremely grateful to the team of doctors and caretakers at MD Anderson Cancer center who helped her through treatment over the years and allowed her years of grandkids, trips, and even a try at parasailing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Wanda, and husband Bill.

Bobbie is survived by her daughters, Adrian Berkline and husband, Kevin, and Katie Hurst; three grandchildren, Tate Berkline, Briar Hurst, and Lydia Berkline; her sister-in-law, Mary Hortman; stepfather, Lloyd Spence, and many nieces and nephews.