Betty Jean Callihan

Betty Jean Callihan, of Charlotte, peacefully passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Carolinas Medical Center. She was 89 years old. Betty was born on Thursday, September 9, 1926 to the late Emsley Otis Cooke and Docia Long Cooke. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Roy Callihan, and her five brothers and four sisters. She is survived by her son Roy “Lee” Callihan, her daughter-in-law Jackie, and her granddaughter Caitlin.

My Mama, Betty, started her early career at Piedmont Natural Gas Company as their first ever female employee but eventually gave that up to become a full-time Wife and Mother. Ten years later, she decided to go to cosmetology school and spent the better part of forty years working as a hair stylist at Marie’s Beauty Salon on Commonwealth Avenue.

When Mama retired from Marie’s she was so loved by her regular clientele that they refused to let her go. For many years, they would continue to come to her house every Saturday to have their hair done.

It became a regular coffee klatch with everyone sitting around the kitchen and den, hair in curlers, drinking coffee and catching up on local gossip. This continued until Mama was 83 years old.

Mama loved her family and friends so very much, but no one held a more special place in her heart than her granddaughter Catlin.

After Daddy died in 2000, my wife, Jackie, and I began taking care of Mama. At first, it was only to make sure she got to her doctor’s appointments and that the groceries were bought and to help ease her loneliness after Daddy’s death.

In later years, I moved in with Mama and became her full-time cook, maid, accountant, and healthcare worker-taking care of all her needs 24 hours a day. I can say without any doubt that this is the best job I ever had and I wouldn’t trade it for all the money in the world. She took care of me all my life and I got to take care of her for a little while during her golden years. I was blessed and grateful to have this time with her and will cherish it always.

As her son, I couldn’t have wished for a better, more loving, caring, and kind Mama. I will miss her each and every day until we meet again.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 12:00 pm at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227, with entombment to follow at Sharon Memorial Mausoleum. Visitation will precede the service from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Humane Society of Charlotte; St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Feed the Children.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com