Paula Callaway

Paula Callaway of Gainesville, GA

On hearing of Paula’s passing, a good friend wrote, “Our lives are darker, but heaven is brighter because Paula has gone to be with Jesus.”

Born the older child of Paul Kinard and Evelyn Heath Smith in Waycross, Georgia, Paula spent most of her early life in Decatur, Georgia. She graduated in 1961 from Druid Hills High School, where among other honors she was crowned “Miss Druid Hills,” “Best Looking,” “Most Ladylike,” and “Queen of Hearts.”

In 1963, after two years as an undergraduate at Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, she married her husband of 61 years, Roe Callaway, and accompanied him to Fort Stewart, Georgia. While there, she commuted 120 miles per day back and forth to Georgia Southern University from which she graduated with a B.S. in Education in 1965. Following an excellent role model, her fourth-grade teacher, she decided at an early age that she wanted to teach. Teaching became a life goal for her, and she excelled in every facet of it. At Fort Stewart, she taught first grade. After the Army, the Callaways moved back to Decatur, Georgia, where her husband, Roe, entered Columbia Theological Seminary. During his years at Columbia, Paula taught fifth and sixth grade math and science at W.D. Thompson School in Dekalb County.

God blessed Paula and Roe with two lovely daughters: Carolyn Ann Callaway Watters and Kerri Roechelle Callaway Scroggins. After their births, Paula, realizing the need to share vital time and impart motherly advice and counsel to her girls, became a stay-at-home mom until both girls were in school, whereupon she answered the call to teach again. She served in a myriad of capacities: substitute teacher, elementary school Bible teacher, Infant/toddler Evaluator for a ten-county area in Georgia, Education Instructor for J.T.P.A in Alabama, and Lead Teacher for Greater Columbus Learning Center in Columbus, Mississippi. Recognizing her God-given talents and love for students, the State of Mississippi honored Paula as Mississippi’s Educator of the Year, a testament to her dedication and impact in the classroom.

Paula’s life was defined by her servant’s heart and her devotion to God, family, friends, and community. She was the beloved wife of Dr. Roe Maxwell Callaway, Jr., pastor of Helen Presbyterian Church, Helen, Georgia. She cherished her role as “Monkey” a name bestowed upon her by her first granddaughter, Amanda Bryson Watters, and carried forth by her three other grandchildren: Grace Callaway Watters, Ella Callaway Scroggins, and Curran Brinkman Watters, Jr. Her life was enriched by her involvement in the churches her husband pastored across the Southeast, including Gretna, Florida; Decatur, Georgia; Valdosta, Georgia; Decatur, Alabama; Columbus, Mississippi; Stockton, Alabama; and Gulfport, Mississippi, where they survived Hurricane Katrina together. After retirement, Paula and Roe settled in Gainesville, Georgia, continuing their ministry in Cleveland, Gainesville, and Helen, Georgia.

Always involved in her church, she served faithfully as Sunday School Teacher/ Coordinator, Youth Advisor, Bible Study Coordinator, Ordained Deacon in First Presbyterian Church, Gainesville, Georgia, President of Presbyterian Women, and was awarded Life Membership in Presbyterian Women. A devoted volunteer, Paula gave her time generously to Junior League in Georgia and Alabama, P.E.O., and as a Girl Scout leader when her daughters were young. A talented seamstress, she lovingly created dresses and formals for her daughter and granddaughters. Paula Callaway brought joy and love to everything and everyone she touched. She was, indeed, a beautiful Southern lady and a life-long Republican.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Evelyn Smith and her younger brother, Patrick Smith. It has been said that “As some people journey through life, they leave footprints wherever they go –footprints of kindness and love, courage and compassion, humor and inspiration, joy and faith…” Truer words could not have been said about Paula Callaway. The words of the Psalmist characterize Paula’s outlook and disposition towards life: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us
rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, Georgia on Saturday, November 30th at 2:00 p.m.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit barrettfh.com.

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.