Mary Elizabeth Callahan

Mary Elizabeth Farris Burton Callahan went to join her Lord Jesus Christ February 3, 2015, peacefully listening to a friend read from the Psalms. She was a devoted mother while raising her two children and devoted friend to them as adults. Truly her children rise up now and call her blessed. God gave us all a treasure of love for 91 years.

Born in Goodwill, WV on August 2, 1923, as an infant Libby Farris rolled over on a changing table and fell out a second story window, nearly landing in a rain barrel. This was the first hint of the strong spirit that was to be hers throughout life. Raised in Duhring, WV as the eldest daughter with three younger brothers, Lib moved to Bluefield, VA to attend business college after World War II. While working at Siler Lumber Company she met and married Russell Stuart Burton, with whom she had Barbara Burton (now Grigg) and Russell Stuart Burton, Jr.

Divorced after her children left home, Libby enjoyed a post-childrearing career which included several years as secretary to President Jerrold Dugger at Bluefield State College. While there she earned her Regents degree. Also at that time, her friendship with an Episcopal worker-priest and ZEP salesman (who jested that he cleaned "both bowls and souls") began to blossom into romance. Libby, who had always sworn she'd never marry a salesman or a preacher, married Griffin C. Callahan in May 1984. They were in their mid-sixties.

Griff and Libby seemed to give each other a new lease on life. Libby had asked the Lord for someone she could serve Him with. She played piano beautifully, and ministered for years at Episcopal church services with her husband. Immediately after marriage, the Callahans moved to Beckley for a few years to serve All Souls Episcopal Church in Daniels. Thereafter, they returned to 1621 College Avenue in Bluefield. They remained active for years; during this time, Libby helped Griff write his autobiography about 50 years of Episcopal ministry in West Virginia and surrounding states. During the last decade of her life, Libby provided full-time care for her husband in his declining years. In 2013, she moved to Grove City, OH to be close to her son.

Elizabeth Callahan was preceded in death by her parents: James and Nona Farris of Duhring, WV and three younger brothers: James, Bobby, and Jerry, by her first husband Russell Burton, and her second husband Griffin C. Callahan. Remaining on earth to complete their own mortal journeys are her daughter Barbara Burton Grigg of Fairmont, WV and husband Richard; her son Russell Stuart Burton, Jr. of Grove City, OH and wife Brenda; their daughter Rebecca Russell, husband Michael, and their daughters Alexa and Cassidy; and son Joshua Burton, wife Sarah, and their daughters
Ainsley and Josephine.

The family wishes to thank all the neighbors, friends, doctors, pharmacists, accountants, lawn mowers, housekeepers, and others who knew and assisted our mother in Bluefield. We feel we know you well because of our mother's fond stories about you. You were family to her when we were far away in miles but not in love. For that we are deeply grateful. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 28 at 11 am in Bluefield, VA at St. Mary's Episcopal Church for Mary Elizabeth Farris Burton Callahan. The gift of your presence is all that is needed.