Lu Ellen Caulton
June 4, 1932 – May 26, 2026
Lu Ellen “Lu” Caulton was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Ivan and Sula Mae (Dehart) Morrison. She was the oldest of five children. At the age of 10, the family relocated to Richmond, California, and by 15 they made it to Modesto where they settled down and she attended and graduated from Modesto High. She married Robert “Bob” Caulton on March 17, 1951. In 1952 they had their first child, a little girl they named DeVon Caulton. Two years later they decided to purchase their “forever home” on Thomas Avenue in Ceres. The next five years gave them two more children, two boys, Dewayne Caulton (1955) and Dwight Caulton (1959).
Lu enjoyed traveling with family, spending many summers road tripping across the U.S. and camping. Anytime you saw her relaxing around the campfire she would be crocheting. She absolutely loved making blankets, potholders and anything else she could think of. She was also a sewing enthusiast, making most of her clothing and that of her family’s. She had such talent and passion for it.
Lu worked for the Ceres Unified School District for many years, primarily in the attendance office. She adored children and was someone everyone could count on. She made sure her children didn’t get away with skipping classes; however, her grandbabies were a different story; they could always sweet talk her into a free pass.
She was a part of the Persephone Guild of Ceres for over 50 years where she was very involved with the community. She helped raise funds to provide scholarships for students, provided Thanksgiving baskets to those in need and many other fundraisers. Her family loved to see her in action at the Strawberry Breakfast every year in May. Along with all her friends who were in the club, she would be up at 4:30 a.m. to cut the strawberries and make the biscuits and famous cinnamon butter. Everyone would visit her and have breakfast, hit the Ceres Street Faire, and then visit her husband at the Ceres Lions Club Booth to grab a tri-tip sandwich.
She will be forever thought of and dearly missed.
Lu is survived by her daughter DeVon Martell (Rudy); son Dwight Caulton (Lenora); grandchildren Jason Martell (Marcy), Bret Martell, Rebecca Leam (Chad), Robert Caulton (Ana), Delene Kvasnicka, and Andy Caulton; and great-grandchildren Ryan Martell, Freya Martell,Hailey Martell, Odin Martell, Mason Caulton, Easton Leam, Caden Leam and Emiliana Caulton.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bob” Caulton, son Dewayne Caulton, brothers Bobby, Jerry, Roy and Dale, and parents Ivan and Sula Mae.
– Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
