Melanie G. Caywood

Melanie G. Caywood, age 74, passed away on September 27th at her home in Fort Worth, TX, previously she was a longtime resident of Blue Springs, MO.

She was born on November 16th 1950 to William & Doloros McCray in Lubbock, Texas. She moved several times with her family as a child and graduated from Neosho MO in 1969. She married Gary Caywood on December 28th 1969. She completed her undergraduate degree in Education at Missouri Southern in Joplin, MO. She later received her masters degree from Webster University in KC, MO. She worked as a teacher in Blue Springs at Daniel Young Elementary, starting with 6th grade and later moving to 3rd grade. She made a significant impact on her students throughout the years.

She found her greatest joy in her grandchildren, whose lives she followed with pride and deep affection. Family was the heart of everything she did - whether it was hosting holidays, remembering every birthday, or simply offering a listening ear. A dedicated and passionate teacher, she nurtured not just minds but spirits, believing in the potential of every student who walked in her classroom. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she was a devoted member of her church community at Plaza Heights Baptist Church, where she found fellowship, comfort, and purpose. A lifelong lover of books, she was rarely seen without a novel in hand, and her creativity came alive in scrapbooking - carefully preserving the moments and memories that mattered most. She had a soft spot for hymnals, often humming their melodies around the house, and her love of music extended to the sounds of 60’s rock & roll and easy listening, which brought her back to simpler, joyful times. And when it came to cheering on KU basketball, she was a loyal and spirited fan, never missing a game and proudly wearing her crimson and blue.

Melanie is survived by her husband Gary Caywood of Fort Worth TX, and children, Andrea Dettmer and husband Scott Dettmer of Fort Worth TX, and Joseph Caywood and wife Michaela Caywood of Hawthorne CA, Six grandchildren Christopher Sloan of Keller, TX, Christian Sloan of Blue Springs MO, Shelby Dettmer, Landon Dettmer, and Barrett Dettmer of Fort Worth, TX, and Easton Caywood of Hawthorne, CA. As well as her sister Cindy Corkins and her husband Phill Corkins of LeCompton, KS.

Melanie was preceded in death by her daughter Jana Sloan, her son-in-law Jonathan (JP) Sloan and her parents William & Dolores McCray.

Cremation is planned with a memorial service to be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel followed by a graveside inurnment at 1:00 p.m., Friday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. The family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time Friday at the chapel. In lieu of flowers donations may be given to Sickle Cell Disease Research www.fscdr.org or Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital  Development Department, Scottish Rite for Children PO Box 122027, Dept. 2027 Dallas, TX 75312-2027 Both are near to her heart for her grandboys.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)