Obituary of Mary Grace Calloway

Mary Grace Calloway Mary was born into this world on February 24, 1944 and departed her earthly life on March 23, 2022. She was born in White Plains, VA in Brunswick County to the late Frances Marilla Pearson and James A. Garfield Shearin. She graduated from James Solomon Russell High School in Lawrenceville, VA in 1963 and later moved to Philadelphia, PA where she married Edward R. Walker, and raised her two daughters, Kim and Monica. Mary spent the majority of her career at PECO in Philadelphia, PA. She kept busy after retirement and spent several years at United National Insurance Group in Bala Cynwyd, PA as an Administrative Assistant. Most importantly, she began to take care of her grandchildren in the afternoons after school. Mary had a gift for working with children. She later joined the Wallingford School District as a Teacher Assistant at Wallingford Elementary, where she worked with autistic students. Mary lived a full life with many hobbies and passions. She was a White Rock Baptist Church member in West Philadelphia and served on the Deaconess board for many years. She loved line dancing, going for walks, playing the piano, knitting, drawing, gardening, cooking, baking, reading and the color purple. But her greatest joy was her family. She was very close to her first cousin, Sarah Harrison. They were raised like sisters, and as children, they would dress like twins and even participate in a singing group together. As adults, they enjoyed talking on the phone, cooking, and Christmas shopping together. She shared in her children and grandchildren's most cherished moments, from their births to proms and graduations. She created memorable travel experiences with her family visiting places like Niagara Falls, Dominican Republic, the Western Caribbean, and Ocean City, MD. Mary was highly ambitious and resilient. The evidence is in the beautiful life she created for herself and her family from humble beginnings. Anyone who knew Mary was touched by her kindness, humor, and compassion. She would never hesitate to say she loved you. In fact, she'd often leave you with her signature "love you, love you, love you" whenever she'd say goodbye. She will forever be deeply missed. Mary leaves to mourn her passing: husband, Walter L. Calloway; sisters, Hazel (brother-in-law, Roosevelt) Penn, Novella Shearin, Mattie Harden, and Minnie (brother-in-law, Amos) Osbourne; daughters, Kim A. (son-in-law, Derek) Manison and Monica L. Walker; grandchildren, Kiera A. Manison, Kayla Manison, and Avery Manison; aunt, Dorothy McKeithan; cousin, Sarah Harrison; along with many stepchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.