Rebecca Norman Callahan, 80, died Saturday, January 20, 2024, after a period of declining health.
She is survived by her daughter, Helen Callahan; son, Vaughn Callahan and wife, Renita. Also surviving are her two grandchildren, Drew Callahan and Kyle Callahan. Her surviving sister is Vesta Ball and her husband Ira V. She is likewise survived by two brothers-in-law, Thomas Callahan and wife, Esther, Gregg Callahan and wife, Karen; and a sister-in-law, Sandra Callahan. In addition, she had many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews; and many friends who will miss her very much.
Rebecca was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Mark Vaughn Callahan; her parents, Millard Lee Norman and Loretta Reynolds Norman; and two sisters, Sylvia Norman Braswell and Sarah Norman Brown.
Becca was born the youngest of four girls on November 1, 1943, in Morganton, NC. She attended Pilot Mountain Elementary School and Graduated from Salem High School. She Married her husband, Mark, on March 4, 1967, and began raising a family. At times throughout the years, she supplemented the family income by taking on waitressing and hosiery mill jobs. However, she was wholly devoted to caring for her family. She was the primary caregiver for her autistic daughter, Helen, and worked as a CNA for the last three decades so she could give her the care she needed.
Becca lived an energetic life and enjoyed showing hospitality to her dear friends and family. She enjoyed playing the piano, hosting square dances, and taking her daily two-mile walks. She loved her grandchildren dearly and as kids, she took them to the park, to restaurants, to “Mayberry, NC,” and even to “Newport Dry Goods” in Newport, TN.
She was taught from infancy to love Jehovah, the almighty God, and dedicated her life to her God, Jehovah, symbolizing that dedication by being baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness on July 31, 1958, at the Divine Will International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses held at Yankee Stadium and the nearby Polo grounds in New York, NY. In addition to caring for her family, she spent many hours sharing her beliefs with others. When her circumstances permitted, she served as an “Auxiliary Pioneer” and, for several years, she served as a full-time “Regular Pioneer.” She worked to instill spiritual values in her children and grandchildren and was a positive influence on all she touched. At the time of her death, she was attending the South Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Morganton. As her health declined, she took comfort in focusing on her hope for the future. She was confident she would “hear his (Jesus) voice and come out…to a resurrection” on earth at a time when “no resident will say, “I am sick” (John 5:28, 29; Isiah 33:24).
A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1663 Jamestown Rd. in Morganton, NC, on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at www.Donate.JW.ORG.