Mary C. Callison

March 6, 1930 — September 3, 2018

Mary Catherine Rexrode was born on March 6, 1930, on Back Mountain in West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Ray Franklin Rexrode and Violet Ware Rexrode. Catherine attended West Virginia public schools and graduated from Marlinton High School in 1948.

On September 2, 1949 Catherine married her high school sweetheart, Samuel Bright Callison, and from this union three children were born; Mary Jane Callison, who died in infancy, Linda Sue Christ and Elizabeth Ann Bridcott. A devoted wife and mother, Catherine cared for her family while Sam served three years in the U. S. Army and completed his college education.

The family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1958 and then to Arlington, Virginia in 1959, where she and Sam lived out their lives.

Catherine was a kind and gentle person who valued family above all else. She was always ready and willing to help where needed. She volunteered at the girls' schools, taught Sunday school and helped with the Girl Scout troop. Catherine loved sewing, crocheting, baking, bowling, gardening and playing cards with friends. She was an excellent cook and found great joy in fixing everyone’s favorites when the girls and their families came to visit.

She never got over losing her life partner and soul mate when Sam died in 2005. Catherine died peacefully at Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center on Monday, September 3, 2018 following a long struggle with complications of Dementia. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Sue Christ of Arlington, VA, and Elizabeth Ann Bridcott of Spotsylvania, VA; two grandchildren, James Edward Alexander of Front Royal, VA, and Marianne Christine Heddings of Fredericksburg, VA; and great-grandchild, Emily Rose Heddings. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Marlinton, West Virginia.

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and four little dogs who have been her constant companions for the last eight years.