Viola Alice Louise Calloway

Viola Louise Calloway, 90, Kingsport, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, after several years of declining health.

Viola was born on October 23, 1924, and grew up in Kingsport. She was the daughter of the late Marshall and Hettie Wooten. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She married the late Nathan Calloway in 1942. They had three children, six grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. In addition to being a housewife, Viola worked with Nathan in his small business, Calloway's TV and Radio, for several years. Being an accomplished seamstress, she made clothing, prom dresses and wedding gowns for her family and friends. She was also a talented quilter.

Viola was a faithful Christian throughout her entire life and was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church where she and Nathan produced the weekly church bulletin for many years.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters and two step-sisters.

Viola is survived by her son Phillip "Woody" Calloway of West Hills, CA; her daughters, Nancy Wagner and husband, Russell of Jonesborough, TN, and Cynthia Lawson of Gray; half-sister, Rosetta Harvey of Mount Carmel; one step-brother; two half-brothers; her grandchildren, Kimberly Calloway, Melissa Graening, Shelley Whitener, Buffy Wilmoth, and Robert and Michael Lawson; and her great-grandchildren, Alex and Travis Graening, Zachary and Camden Whitener, and Foster and Auburn Wilmoth.

The family will receive friends from 11 am to 1 pm on Friday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The service will follow in the chapel with Pastor Wayne Baker officiating.

Burial will follow at 2:30 pm at Mountain Home National Cemetery.

The family would like to send a special thanks to the Caris and the Johnson City NHC caregivers for the care and concern shown to Viola and her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

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