Teree Lynn Caldwell-Johnson

A truly remarkable community leader, career public servant and champion for education, social justice, and economic advancement, Teree Lynn Caldwell-Johnson, 68, of Des Moines, Iowa, transitioned peacefully to the Lord on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at EveryStep Kavanagh House with her family by her side.

Born February 24, 1956, in Salina, Kansas, Teree was the daughter of the late Robert and Bessie Caldwell. During her childhood in Salina, she was a talented violinist and piano player, ballet dancer, lifeguard, and was active in Girl Scouts of the USA. After Teree graduated from high school in 1974, she went on to study at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature. She was active in the Spelman Orchestra and Spelman/Morehouse Debate and Forensics Team and served as a student representative to the Spelman College Board of Trustees, and was a Morehouse Cheerleader. In 1978, she pledged into the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority. In 1979, she received her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. She also completed post-graduate studies at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Her first employment opportunity in Iowa was in 1982 as Assistant to the City Manager of Ames, where she took a leadership role in introducing a local government ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. For a short period of time in 1984, she worked as an Assistant to the City Manager in San Antonio, Texas. She returned to Des Moines to be the Executive Director of Metro Waste Authority from 1988 to 1996; from 1996 to 2003, she served as the Polk County Manager. Teree was appointed to the position of President and CEO for Oakridge Neighborhood and Oakridge Neighborhood Services in April 2004, a position she held until her death.

Teree led major accomplishments while in Oakridge leadership, including a total renovation of the neighborhood’s townhomes, a new senior housing facility, numerous campus beautification projects, and the addition of wellness and recreation amenities. She also championed numerous education initiatives with Oakridge, including an accredited preschool to ensure children are as school-ready as their peers when they enter kindergarten; in-school and out-of-school programs to keep students grades K-12 on track through graduation from high school and in their post-secondary choices; and family and workforce programs like English language learning, citizenship, job training and career placement efforts to support adults on their path to self-sufficiency.

Teree was a champion of volunteer community service, which included an election to the Des Moines School Board in 2006 and a re-election to four additional-year terms in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021. In addition, Teree served on the board of directors of the National Civic League, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Capital Crossroads, Polk County Housing Trust Fund, OpportUNITY, Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art and The Directors Council.

Teree’s work has been recognized numerous of times over the years. She was honored with the State of Iowa’s 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Achievement Award, Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice, and the President's Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award. She was named a 2022 “Remarkable Woman” by WHO-TV’s Nexstar Media Group.

Additional awards and recognitions include Iowa Women's Foundation Ovation Honoree in 2021, Faith and Freedom Community Leader Award in 2018, A. Arthur Davis Distinguished Community Leadership Award in 2017, President's MLK Drum Major for Service Lifetime Volunteer Award 2014, Iowa African American Museum's 2010 History Maker, Business Publications 2002 Women of Influence, Black Ministerial Alliance 2002 Leadership Award, Business Record Best Female Business Leader 2001 and the YWCA 1999 Women of Achievement.

She was an active member of St. Paul AME Church of Des Moines, where she served as a member of the Steward Board, William Sampson Brooks Missionary Society, and Women’s Community Ministry; was chairperson of the St. Paul AME 150th Anniversary Celebration; and served as a founding board member and officer of the Richard Allen Community Development Corporation.

She was an active member of The Links, Incorporated, where she was elected to serve as the 17th Central Area Director from 2007-2011. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

While Teree’s professional accomplishments were many, she was a devoted, loving wife, mother, gram, and friend. She loved spending time with family on vacations (their special place was Martha’s Vineyard and New York City), cooking (especially her famous gumbo at Christmas), and hanging out at home. She was a die-hard sports fanatic, with tennis, swimming, basketball, gymnastics, and track and field as her favorites. She enjoyed a good margarita (just one!) and listening to music by Whitney Houston, Charlie Wilson, and Rance Allen to name a few. She loved traveling home and abroad to places such as New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Paris, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, South Africa, Cuba, and other places. She collected various signature treasured art pieces. She celebrated every holiday in full décor. Her most well-known Christmas holiday event was her “Holiday Bazaar,” where she sold Black Santas, Angels, Nutcrackers, and other items nationwide.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Bessie Caldwell, her brother, Robert Jr., and her sister, Aqualyn (Toy) Caldwell-Colbert.

Left to cherish her memory is the love of her life, her husband Vernon of 38 years; their four adult children: son Baley (Hilary) of Ankeny, daughter Baxtyr Lynn of Des Moines, and stepsons Vernon (VJ) (Heather) of Clear Lake and William of Omaha, NE; Twelve grandchildren: Berkeley, Nori, Roman, Xada, Ayla, Aria, Britnee, Erika, Darius, Tyreese, Jade and Dominic; Brother-in-laws William Johnson (Marcia) of Dallas, TX, Charles Colbert of Atlanta, GA; Sister-in-law Mardell Harden of Houston, TX; Nephew Joffre Colbert; Nieces Jordan Colbert and Latatia Colbert-Reed; Cousin Marilyn Caldwell; Goddaughter Shannon Sanders Darden; her girlfriends: Pam Bell-Payton, Monice Sanders, Delores Johnson-Cooper, and her special sisters Shirley Barnes and Vanessa Baker-Latimer, and host of other family, friends, and colleagues.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA. Additional parking will be available at Orchard Place, located just south of the funeral home, at 925 SW Porter Avenue.

A Celebration of Teree’s life will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Plymouth Congregational Church, 4126 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA. Click Here for the livestream.

In lieu of flowers, Teree’s wish was for memorial contributions to be made to several special organizations. Contributions may be directed to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, 1915 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309 or by visiting www.desmoinesfoundation.org/honoringteree.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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