Rae Minick Cavaleri

Rae Minick Cavaleri, 97, died December 14, 2021, at Brandon Wilde in Evans, Georgia.

Born in Saluda, South Carolina, to the late Olin Watson Minick and Susan Inez Shaw Minick, she grew up in Newberry and graduated from Bush River High School.

She attended Presbyterian College, where she was crowned homecoming queen in 1948. It was there she met Edwin Fairbanks Cavaleri, junior. The couple married September 3, 1949, in Laurens, South Carolina. After Ed’s graduation from Presbyterian College and commission into the US Army, they served our country as a career military family before retiring in the Augusta area. After sixty-four years of marriage, her beloved Eddie preceded her in death in 2013. She was also predeceased by her siblings Irene Crapps, Nellie Betchman, Steve Minick, Joe Robert Minick, Maydee Nabors, Johnnie Minick, Meadors Minick, Lillie Minick, Billy Minick, and her first husband, Jimmy Paluch, who died during WWII.

She is survived by a daughter, Pendy Bowers (Emmett) of Tifton; grandchildren Dr. Worth Bowers (Ashley) of Valdosta and Kate Berryman (Jay) of Watkinsville; great-grandchildren Ellie, Emma, and Mack Bowers; Bo, Banks, and Grey Berryman. Her sweet spirit, quiet dignity, bravery, and resilience will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brandon Wilde Library Fund, Community Foundation for the CSRA, PO Box 31358, Augusta, GA 30903 or to First United Methodist Church of Tifton, 107 W 12th Street, Tifton, GA 31794.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Platt’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.