Sallie Caldwell, the 'Community Mayor,' was 84

Sallie Caldwell, a Tracey Towers resident and a pillar of the community in Norwood and Bedford Park, passed away on Wednesday morning, June 7. She was 84.

She was born Oct. 8, 1938, and was a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother.

Caldwell was known to others as Ms. Sallie Mama, Mother Caldwell, Mama Sallie, and Community Mayor. Those who knew her described her as passionate, remarkable, vibrant, wonderful, and a “fierce community activist.”

Caldwell lived in the Norwood section for more than 30 years. She was a member of Community Board 7 and served as first vice-chair under former district manager Rita Kesler until 2007. She also was an active member of the Jerome Gun Hill BID.

Her daughter, Brenda Caldwell-Paris, president of the 52nd Precinct Community Council displayed her emotions after learning her of her mom’s death. She wrote on social media, “My heart is in so much pain-filled with much sadness of sharing with you the passing of my mother, amazing awesome Sallie Caldwell, who is a community legend. After a full life of living, love, laughs, friendship and community activism that touched countless individuals, my mother went home to Glory early Wednesday morning, June 7, 2023.”

City Councilman Eric Dinowitz offered his condolences on social media, stating ,“She always held me and every elected official accountable for everything that needed improvement in our community.

Sallie’s dedication to improving our community was an inspiration to us all. Let us honor her memory by continuing her legacy of service and making our neighborhoods a better place for all.”

A wake and funeral will take place Thursday, June 22, at United Christian Baptist Church. Hours for the wake are 3-6 p.m. with the funeral following at 6 p.m. The burial ceremony will be at Woodlawn Cemetery on June 23.

McCall Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

— Eric Harvey