Mary Virginia Caldwell Sorrells (Mrs. Melvin Sorrells) of 3811 Quail Creek Drive Dothan, Alabama, beloved mother, grandmother, and retired educator passed away at home on Friday, July 10, 2026. She was 91 years old.

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31.

A private Family Funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb, Alabama to honor Mrs. Sorrells’ life and legacy. Interment will follow at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Hilltop Road, Houston County with Sorrells Funeral Home directing.

Contributions in Mrs. Sorrells' memory may be made to: Bible Broadcasting Network P.O. Box 7300, Charlotte, North Carolina 28241-9943.

Mrs. Sorrells was born on October 30, 1934 in Opp, Alabama. She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Reuben (Rube) Caldwell (Ocala Huggins) of Samson, Alabama, the wife of 47 years, until his death, of Melvin Sorrells, mother of Mrs. R. Hudson Olliff III (Melva Virginia Sorrells), and the late Jon Melvin Sorrells. She is also the grandmother of Nathaniel Sorrells Olliff, MD.

Mrs. Sorrells is a 1952 graduate of Samson Sr. High School where she was Salutatorian of her class, President of the Student Body, Homecoming Queen, President of the Future Homemakers of America, Editor of the yearbook, Band Captain, and was a member of the Alabama All State Band, as a tenor saxophonist, National Honor Society, Girls State Representative and the receipt of the Samson Lion’s Club SHS Good Citizenship Award.

In 1956, Virginia earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Troy State Teachers College in Troy Alabama, where she was President of Shackleford Hall. She was also selected as Sophomore Favorite, Representative to the Student Government, a member of both the Troy State College Band and the Troy State College Waveman Dance Band where she was one of the first female members. Later, she earned a Masters of Art in Teaching degree with the first graduating Master of Art in Teaching Class in 1975 from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mrs. Sorrells was a music educator for 30 1/2 years in the public schools of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. She began her career in Alabama as the first female band director of the Samson Senior High school in 1954. While teaching in Samson she was also the Choir Director of the First United Methodist Church Choir. In Georgia, she was the band director of the Charlton County schools in Folkson and at Pearson High School in Pearson.

In Florida, she was a music educator in Holmes, Orange and Duval counties. She was the first female band director at Holmes County high school in Bonifay; she taught elementary music in Orlando and held several teaching positions in the Duval County Public Schools, including being the first band director of Southside Jr. High School, as well as the first female band director of Fort Caroline Jr. High School. While she was the band director at Fort Caroline Jr. High School, she served as the Honor Band Chairman of the Duval County Jr. High Honor Band and was selected as Fort Caroline Jr. High School Teacher of the Year 1979. She was first runner up for the Duval County Teacher of the Year 1979 and was a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Florida Band Masters Association, the Duval County Superintendent’s Faculty Forum, and was recognized as one of the most outstanding Band Directors in Southeast Florida. Under her direction, her bands earned numerous superior awards at band competitions throughout her career.

Mrs. Sorrells’ retired from the Florida Education System on January 1, 1985, passing her baton to her daughter who succeeded her as band director of Ft. Caroline Jr. High.

After retirement, Mrs. Sorrells enjoyed caring for her family, fishing, needlework, preparing family dinners, helping with her son’s General Store, attending her grandson’s activities, spending time at her beach condo, and serving as the First United Methodist Church of Hartford, Alabama Handbell Choir Director.

Mary Virginia Caldwell Sorrells was a Christian, a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, and in later years became a member with her daughter‘s family of the First Presbyterian Church of Dothan, Alabama.

Mrs. Sorrells was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Hershel Caldwell (Jackie), her husband of 47 years Melvin Sorrells, her son (Jon Melvin Sorrells), her stepdaughters-in -law, Shirley Pennington Sorrells, Emma Johnson Sorrells, her special friend and former college roommate (Lacey Vaughn), and most all of her close family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. R. Hudson Olliff III (Melva Virginia Sorrells Olliff) her grandson, (Nathaniel Sorrells Olliff, MD), her nephews and their families, (Terry Caldwell, Chris Caldwell), three step-sons and their families, as well as, many special former students.

The family is thankful for the employees of Enhabit Hospice for their care.

Mary Virginia Caldwell Sorrells’ love, kindness, strength of character, Christian lifestyle, beautiful smile, and her commitment to excellence in every area of life will be missed.

Mrs. Sorrells’ motto “Results not Excuses” will guide her family and former students to achieve their personal goals now and into the future.