Pauline Vertrece Calloway's Obituary
Pauline Vertrece Calloway, 91, of Fayetteville, passed from her loved ones and the joys and wonders of this world to God’s glorious heavenly home on the evening of Saturday Nov. 6, 2021, in Plano Tx.
Pauline and her twin brother Paul were born on August 30, 1930, in Grove, Oklahoma, the twin babies of Vernie and Lydia Boyd. Sadly, at the age of 3 months, baby Paul unexpectedly became very ill and died before they could get him to the Doctor.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elwayne, a daughter Marion Vertrece, and two brothers. She is survived by one son, Paul Calloway and his wife, Angela of Fayetteville; one daughter, Brenda Wilks and her husband Gary of Plano, Texas; three grandchildren: Brent Wilks, Britanny Wilks Cook, and Christi Herweck and 7 great grandchildren.
Polly, as she was known to family and friends, grew up on a farm in the hills of Northeast Oklahoma, with a few years spent in West Texas when her Dad was working in the oilfields.
In 1954, Pauline met and married Elwayne with whom she shared a wonderful life adventure of making a loving home and raising a family, obtaining a college education (bachelors and masters degrees in education), teaching, and travel throughout our country and the world.
After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Pauline taught in Fayetteville public schools for 28 years. Her early years of teaching were at Leverett elementary, where a highlight of the school year for her class was the end of year celebration when she would walk her class down to Wilson Park for an afternoon of fun and games, of which she of course joined in whole heartedly. Her last 20 years of teaching were at Root elementary school where she taught 6th grade and was affectionately known to her students as Mrs. C. She was a teacher that truly loved teaching and children. She shared her passion for learning and joy in helping others in her classroom instruction that positively influenced hundreds of children.
Mother had many interests and life passions but among her favorites was playing bridge with friends, the arts and literature, hosting holiday parties, Razorback sports, and travel – especially time spent on the beach at the condo in Maderia Beach.
Mother had a pure and genuine love for life and people. If you were her friend or simply in her company, she was going to bring you joy. Her greatest love was her family, for whom she was always there to help and support in any way possible, and with whom she spent her most precious of times. We will always miss her and she will forever be in our hearts and minds.
The family would like to give a special thanks to all loving caregivers and particularly over the past 3 years, our special friend and caregiver Lita.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 16, at First Christian Church in Fayetteville. Burial will follow at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-6 p.m. Monday, November 15, at Nelson Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. Memorials are preferred to Fayetteville Public Library, 401 W. Mountain Street, Fayetteville, AR, 72701.
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