Callahan, Edna Lorilla

Edna Lorilla Callahan, age 71 was lifted on the wings of angels to depart this life surrounded with love by her family as she departed for Heaven’s gate on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006. She no longer suffers from her illness and left with any pain resting peacefully.

She was a dedicated life member of the First Baptist Church, Magazine Street, Pulaski, Va. Upon graduating from Christiansburg Institute, she moved to Richmond, Va. to pursue a modeling career for top clothing stores, and worked for Schmidt and Wilson Realtor. She loved ballroom dancing and entertaining. She later developed a passion for working and loving elderly people by becoming a nurse. She extended her services and career while performing private duty assignments. She worked in numerous nursing homes until retiring. In 1996, she moved to Texas (due to her illness) to reside with her daughter until her death.

Edna (Toot’s) was born on May 30, 1934 in Pulaski, Va. Preceded in death by mother Edna Price Callahan Patterson, and father Lorenzo Callahan, and step father John Patterson, Jr.; sisters Malinda Slaughter, Cynthia Marchbanks, Glory Callahan; brothers Pernell Callahan, Charles Callahan, and Ray Hamilton; brother-in-law Richard Slaughter.

She is survived by one daughter Debra C. (Hurbert) Harper; grandchildren Dominique (Cherlanda) Harper, and Domenica Harper and two great grand-children, Jeremy Washington and Demetrius Harper, all of Austin Texas; loving companion of fifty years Willie (Bubba) M. Johnson of Richmond, Va.; sisters Felecia (William) Matthews, Austin, Texas, Nancy Bell, Greensboro, N.C., Katherine Brown, Winston Salem, N.C.; sister-in-law Captoria Callahan of Pulaski; brother Edward (Carolyn) Callahan, Washington, D.C, Leon (Virginia) Callahan, Winston-Salem, N.C.; nieces Donna (Ralph) Riggs, Baltimore, Md. Nadine Matthews of Austin, Texas, Tenisha and Sandra Marchbanks of Knoxville, Tenn., Renee and Jolean Callahan, Pulaski, Bonita, Veronica, Angela Callahan, Stanford, Conn.; nephews William Matthews IV of Austin, Texas, Pernell Callahan of Tenn, Michael and Edwards Jr. Callahan of Conn; host of great nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Funeral service will be Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Magazine Street, Pulaski. Burial at the Pinehurst Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 12 noon until time of service at the church.

Penn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.