Billie Caddell and the Caddell Legacy

The Caddell Legacy
“When I married Bobby Caddell in 1947 little did I know I would be privileged to be a part of a legacy that would have a lasting impact on me as well as this community and is still living on today and touching people around the world.” Billie Caddell

Five generations of the Caddell family have lived with a desire for ministry in a local church! Whether it’s preaching behind a pulpit, playing an instrument, recording music, visiting in a hospital, teaching, administrating…the list goes on. And for good reason! Billie Caddell, along with her husband and in-laws, lived out their lives in such a way that their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren wanted to follow their example!

“The legacy of the Caddell Family began in the 1930’s when a young preacher Robert Caddell Sr. (Brother Bob), an oil field worker, accepted the pastorate of the First Assembly of God Church in Seadrift, Texas. He pastored thirty-two years until his death in 1969. Along with his wife Myrtle and children Robert Jr. (Bobby) and Peggy Joyce they enjoyed living in Seadrift and serving the people.” Billie Caddell

Daughter Peggy and husband Thomas ended up serving thirty-five years in ministry. Their son, Bobby and wife Billie, gave forty-two years towards ministry. Their oldest daughter Cindy and husband Ronnie have served in ministry thirty-eight years. Their two daughters and husbands have given twenty-three years to ministry. Bobby and Billie’s son Stephen and wife Melissa have pastored thirty-eight years. Their four sons and wives have each served an average of more than seventeen years of ministry
. Bobby and Billie’s youngest daughter, Denise and her two children and spouses, have each served twenty-five years of ministry.
What do you think? That’s a lot of time and dedication over the years in the Caddell family! Their legacy of service is indeed a legacy not to be forgotten, and it just keeps on going! Our hats off to this family that has left a lasting impact in Seadrift and beyond!

Author’s note: I am a Christian today because of the Caddell legacy! Almost fifty years ago I knelt in prayer with Bobbie and Billie Caddell present. Their legacy continues in my life!

Robert and Myrtle Caddell pioneered a live radio broadcast from their church.

This is the tenth in the “Seadrift Legacy” series.

We were honored to help 62 families this year with the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets. There were some families who received assistance at both the holidays, but this community has come together again and made it happen for the needy in our area.

We began the year with $1,965.48 and spent $4,344.85. The ending balance is $1,932.63
.
Everyone who goes to the grocery store realizes that food costs have increased substantially this year. In addition to the cash given this year, there were many more donations of non-perishable foods than normal. This made the dollars go much further!

A special thanks to the three churches, the Port O’Connor Women’s Service Club, and to several very special benefactors who gave generously to supply the food that was given out this year.

As we continue giving and working together, we will be able to continue making a difference in the lives of so many families in our area who need a little boost at these times of the year!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from The Island

Greetings from the island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing well and had a great Christmas last month, and had a wonderful time with family and friends. The holidays are a wonderful time of the year to get together with those that you care about, and give thanks for the birth of Christ. I wish for every single one of you to also have a great and prosperous New Year.

The chilling northers are arriving about once a week now, right on cue for this time of year. I’m having to plan and negotiate my mainland trips around the nasty weather and blowing north winds, always making sure to keep an eye on the 3-5 day forecasts for Port O’Connor and Matagorda Bay. So far the tides are staying below normal, but that is expected since winter officially arrived on Dec 21, meaning that there will be occasions that I cannot get in or out of the lagoon cut that leads into the bay. I just have to make certain and stay stocked up on needed supplies. I often use these wintry weather days and nights to get caught up on my book reading.

My chickens and guineas are flat out refusing to lay during these colder weather times. Their molting stage, where they shed their old feathers and grow in new thicker ones for the winter, cause them to direct all of their energy into that and not into laying eggs. I’m hoping that once the molt is complete, they will resume laying at least a few eggs, because I’m still having to feed them and not getting anything in return at the present time.

The island beach has been very clean lately, not many seashells or treasures to be found. Beach finds and miscellaneous seashells tend to wash ashore in stages and various times from the Gulf. Sometimes for several weeks straight there will be a large assortment of shells and marine treasures mixed into the “trash lines” in the high tide areas along the beach. And then several months might go by where basically nothing worth picking up washes ashore. It’s just a matter of being there at the right time to walk and enjoy the sights and sounds and nice little finds associated with beach time. But whether little treasures are abundant or non-existent, the beach is forever a wonderful place to be.

That’s it from the island for now. Everyone please have a wonderful day and a very Happy New Year.

Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst will speak at the Republican Club dinner on Monday, February 3, at the Grace Episcopal Parish Hall in Port Lavaca. Dinner (by reservation only $11 each) is served from 5-5:45pm, followed by remarks and visitation with Senator Kolkhorst. Public is invited.

Dinner reservations MUST BE made NLT Friday, January 27. Call Connie Hunt, 552-0917, or Lisa Peterson, 552-6313 to make reservation.

A Debate between candidates for Pct. 3 Commissioner will be held Tuesday, February 4 from 5:30 until 6:45 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Parish Hall in Port Lavaca.

Participating will be Clyde Syma (Incumbent); Wesley Abraham; Joel M. Behrens; and Butch Graveson.

All are invited to attend. Finger foods will be served from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m.