Whitney Michelle Caldwell Starkey, 31, of Palmer, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Whitney was born on October 3, 1992 to Rodney and Casey Caldwell.

Whitney accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age and devoted her entire life to serving him.

Whitney was known for many things, but her love and passion for adoption exceeded it all. Through adoption she got her perfect baby boy who she loved more than anything in this world, next to her two beautiful nieces who she was absolutely crazy about.

Whitney loved anything "I Love Lucy", Big Red, Starbucks Pink Drinks, Hachie Nutrition Teas, Hibachio and of course chips and queso. But more than anything, Whitney loved her family, friends and students to her core. She was a teacher who touched more lives than she will ever know. She was a light in so many lives.

Whitney was also a published Author of two books. "Tales of a Tomboy" she wrote in 3rd grade, and "That Day on the Beach" where she talked a lot about the continuous struggles of her mental health. They are both available on Amazon.

"The pain that you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming"

(Romans 8:18) Whitney may have taken her last breath on earth but her next breath was at the feet of Jesus, and she is finally feeling the joy she has been longing to feel for so long.

Whitney is preceded in death by one grandfather Sonny Arthur, one grandmother Linda Arthur, 3 great grandmothers and a child that met Jesus before her. She is survived by her son Caleb Starkey and his father Austin Starkey, her parents Rodney and Casey Caldwell, her sister Brooke Treat and her husband Daniel Treat, her sister Jessey Glenn and her husband Colby Glenn, her nieces Lillie and Sophie, her nephew Kaleb, her Grandparents Barbara Pistole, along with Ronny and Tommie Caldwell. Her Aunt Rhonda Gradberg and her husband David. Her Uncle Kelly Arthur and his wife Sally.  Her Uncle Vince and his wife Angy and her Aunt Leslie Pistole. Her cousins Jordan Gradberg and his wife Brandy, her cousin Josh Gradberg and his wife Madilyn, her cousins Kelly, Cody, Donnie and Brandon Arthur along with his wife Katie, and cousins Chloe, and Shane Arthur, Zach Boykin and his wife Katie, Sarah Wood, and Gabrielle Davenport, 11 second cousins, many more family members, friends and previous students.

There will be visitation at Keever's Palmer Chapel on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 3:00-5:00pm. The Celebration of Life will be at Pathway Baptist Church in Waxahachie (formerly Farley Street Church) on Monday, May 20th, 2024 at 1:00 pm with Jason Prewitt officiating. Pallberers will be Jordan Gradberg, Josh Gradberg, Brandon Arthur, Colby Glenn, Daniel Treat, Kelly Arthur Sr., Vince Arthur, Cody Arthur, David Gradberg and Daniel Weaver. The Graveside service will immediately follow the service at Palmer Cemetery.