Talmadge Jefferson Callaway

TALMADGE JEFFERSON CALLAWAY

Talmadge Jefferson Callaway, 86, of Eccles, West Virginia, and Clearwater, Florida, passed away peacefully from a short illness on August 25, 2020. Born on July 7, 1934, in Glen Daniel, WV, to Ott Mayo and Garnet Pearl Hutchinson Callaway. His grandparents were John Edward and Mary Willie Preas Callaway and George Andrew and Carrie Mae Tolley Hutchinson.

Talmadge grew up in Glen Daniel, WV, and attended Trap Hill High School and Raleigh County Vocational School. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 – 1956, where he served as Gunner’s Mate on the USS Bailey and USS Turner, and toured 22 countries. He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for ten years.

Talmadge retired from United Parcel Service after 33 years of service as a Master Mechanic and was a member of Teamsters Union #175. He worked at General Motors in Cleveland, OH, after returning from the Navy, and then at Bays Buick and Town Talk Bakery upon his return to WV.

He was truly a ‘jack of all trades’, but his favorite hobby was restoring his classic Corvettes. He also loved traveling to visit his children and granddaughter, camping and spending summers at Lake Stephens and Myrtle Beach, boating, water skiing, and coin collecting.

Talmadge was a Christian and attended Eccles First Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Harry Mayo Callaway, and sister, Drema Lee Callaway. Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Joan Ellen Wilson Callaway, of Eccles, WV; his sons, Jeffrey Thomas Callaway (Leslie) of Charleston, TN, and Talmadge Douglas Callaway (Arturo) of New York City, NY; his daughter, Susan Amoret Callaway Clairmont (Robert) of Clearwater, FL; his most precious and beloved granddaughter, Rachel Amoret Clairmont of Sevierville, TN; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Terry and Arthur Wright and Phillip and Libby Wilson, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many wonderful friends and special neighbors.

Due to the Covid-19 virus, private graveside rites will be conducted by Rev. Garry Hall and burial will be at the Wildwood Cemetery, Beckley, WV.

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