Eva Jean Callaham

Eva Jean (Farris) Callaham, 87, of Madisonville passed away peacefully October 28, 2018 in Bryan, Texas. Eva Jean was born August 10, 1931 in Huntsville, Texas to Lee and Eva Mae (Roberts) Farris.

After graduation from Huntsville High School in 1949, Eva Jean attended Sam Houston State Teacher’s College, where she met and later married David Lee Callaham from Shiro, Texas. The couple met and began dating while both were enrolled in a Bible course in college. She graduated in 1952 with a BS in Education and started her teaching career in Liberty, Texas.

The couple had several moves and finally settled in Madisonville in 1962. Eva Jean was a homemaker and raised three children during this time and became an active member in the Madisonville community.

Eva Jean loved her community and served it in many ways throughout the years. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Madisonville where she was a children’s Sunday school teacher and assisted with Vacation Bible School for a number of years. She was a charter member of the Captain John McAdams chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She was an active volunteer of the Madison County Hospital Auxiliary, the Madison County Historical Commission and Madison County Museum. She also served as Madison County Chairwoman for the March of Dimes for several years. In 1966, she and others helped to establish the first Kindergarten classes in MCISD.

In 1977, Eva Jean returned to teaching at Madisonville Elementary School. After teaching for ten years, she took an early retirement and purchased The Ladies Shop. During this time she became very involved with the Downtown Merchants Association and became a dedicated member of the Madison County Retired School Personnel.

Upon retirement from The Ladies Shop, Eva Jean enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family and traveling with her husband.

Eva Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Lee Elwin and Eva Mae Farris; infant brother William David Farris, and brother, James Farris.

She is survived by her husband of almost 64 years, David Lee Callaham; her daughters, Donna Morgan and husband, Les, of Lexington, Diann Shiver and husband, Don, of Madisonville and her son, Dave Callaham and wife, Crystal, of Madisonville. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ryan Morgan and wife, Hannah, of Humble, Cody Morgan of Lexington, D.L. Shiver, Dex Shiver, Trey Callaham, Delaney Callaham and Dillon Callaham, all of Madisonville and great grandchild, Addison Morgan of Humble.

She is also survived by sisters, Lucille Benthall and husband, Fred and Winnie Sandel and husband, Joe, as well as, sister-in-law, Norma Farris, all of Huntsville and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would also like to acknowledge special friends, Carroll and Betty West and care givers, Gladys Randle, Marilyn Brown, Deborah Brown and Pam Mosley.

Funeral services for Eva will be held 2 P.M., Friday, November 2, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Madisonville, Texas. Interment will follow in the Madisonville Cemetery. The Callaham family will receive friends Thursday, November 1, 2018 from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home.