Joan Ellen (Wilson) Callaway, 88, of Eccles, West Virginia, and Clearwater, Florida, entered her heavenly home on January 13, 2025, after a brief illness. Born at home on September 28, 1936, in Eccles to George Thomas and Bessie Vernon (Robertson) Wilson. Her grandparents were Lorenzo (LaRans) Jordan and Lillie Ann (Atha) Wilson and Franklin and Bessie Jane (Phillips) Robertson.
Joan graduated from Trap Hill High School in 1954 where she played the snare drum in marching band and was elected Homecoming Queen during her senior year. During her childhood, she attended Camp Thomas E. Lightfoot and could still sing all of the camp songs, making sure to teach them to her granddaughter. Camp was a treasured memory. During high school, she worked at G.C. Murphy's candy counter.
On July 3, 1954, Joan married the love of her life, Talmadge Jefferson Callaway, at the Beckley Regular Baptist Church. They'd known each other most of their lives, and she'd always had a crush on him. After being engaged, Talmadge came home on weekend leave from the US Navy, where he asked her to wed that weekend. The pastor at the Beckley Regular Baptist Church was having a revival elsewhere, so they waited at his church until 10 pm to be married.
Joan's first trip out of West Virginia was to meet Talmadge in New York City, where he was temporarily stationed. She was scared, so he jumped ship and went AWOL. They also briefly lived in Cambridge, MA, during their Naval years. When he was deployed overseas, Joan returned to Eccles.
In 1956, their first son, Jeffrey Thomas Callaway, was born while Talmadge was overseas. In 1958, their second son, Talmadge Douglas Callaway, was born.
Once Talmadge's naval enlistment was over, they moved to Mansfield, OH, where Joan made a home, while Talmadge worked at General Motors. Being homesick, they returned to Eccles (Allentown) and continued to build their family. In 1963, their daughter, Susan Amoret (Callaway) Clairmont, was born.
Joan continued being the best wife and mother on Earth to her husband and three children, while taking jobs at G.C. Murphy's and JCPenney during holiday seasons. She always supported her children's elementary school's Fall Festival, where Talmadge would cut a sapling to make a 'prize' tree, and she'd tape wrapped gifts on the branches.
Joan was known for baking delicious hot rolls for family and friends, in addition to gravy and biscuits, and made sure the kids on Allentown had food and treats after school.
In 1979, Joan graduated from Raleigh County Vocational Technical School as a Licensed Practical Nurse with high honors. She worked at the Raleigh County Health Center and Appalachian Regional Hospital.
Joan spent summers camping, boating, and water skiing at Lake Stephens. When not at the lake, she was camping in Myrtle Beach, SC, and visiting her grown children. She also avidly sewed, making many of her daughter's clothes and doll clothes as well. She was also an avid sports fan, supporting the Trap Hill basketball team in the 1970s, often running the concession stand with Talmadge. She also loved Dale Earnhardt and the Tampa Bay Rays, where she attended many games.
Joan was a steadfast Christian and a member of the Eccles First Baptist Church. She loved her church family, rarely missing a podcast when she was away.
In 1995, Joan witnessed the birth of her granddaughter, Rachel Amoret (Clairmont) Fitzgerald, who was her most treasured jewel. After Talmadge's retirement, they purchased a home in Clearwater, FL, to be close to Rachel, spending a lot of time spoiling her and enjoying her company. They were 'snowbirds' for many years.
In 2022, Joan was blessed to see her great-grandchildren on the day of their birth, Cade Robert and Addison Amoret Fitzgerald. She helped take care of them for the first five weeks of their lives. She often visited Rachel and the twins, which were her pride and joy, in addition to visiting her sons, Jeffrey and Douglas. Her daughter, Susan, cared for her, but she was independent until her death.
Survivors include her children, Jeffrey Thomas Callaway (Leslie) of Charleston, TN; Talmadge Douglas Callaway (Arturo) of New York City, NY; and Susan Amoret (Callaway) Clairmont of Clearwater, FL; her most precious granddaughter, Rachel Amoret (Clairmont) Fitzgerald (Nicolas) and her twin great-grandchildren, Cade Robert and Addison Amoret Fitzgerald, of Maryville, TN; as well as her step-grandson, Barry Evans (Jennifer) and her step-great-granddaughter, Brenley, of Cleveland, Tennessee. Joan is also survived by her brother, Phillip Lane Wilson (Elizabeth) of Harper, WV, and Terry Lynn (Wilson) Wright (Arthur) of Beckley, WV, her many and much-loved nieces and nephews, and special friends, Faye Callaway, Brown Cranna, Gregory and Sandy Terry, Garry and Peggy Hall, Tracey and Jim Wood, and Emoke Kiss.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Talmadge in 2020, her son-in-law, Robert Clairmont in 2021, and nephews, Phillip Thomas Wilson and Jason Brent Wright.
To honor Joan, visitation will be held at noon at Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center in Beckley, WV, on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, followed by a memorial service at 1 pm, and graveside rites at Wildwood Cemetery with Rev. Garry Hall officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to honor her life and memory to: St. Jude Children Research Hospital (stjude.org) or Eccles First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 316, Harper, WV 25851.

Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center has the honor of serving the family during this difficult time. Expressions of comfort and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.meltonmortuary.com