Portsmouth - Elizabeth Joan Anderson Callahan passed away July 5, 2012 at her home in Oregon Acres. Born July 27, 1932 in Pennington Gap, Va., she was predeceased by her parents, Roy E. Sr. and Lucille Ellison Anderson; son, Kevin B. Callahan of Front Royal; sister, Vivian Ruth Baker; and brother, Roy E. Anderson Jr. Joan retired from Civil Service after many years with the FEMA Organization in the Northern Virginia area, receiving many awards and recognition for outstanding service and special organization and training talents. She was an Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor and a talented writer, leaving behind may works including poems, short stories, a play and miscellaneous writings.
Joan enjoyed working with groups that specialized in helping people. While living in Front Royal, she worked with the Concerned Hotline organization, amassing over 200 volunteer hours, and was active in Riverton United Methodist Church. Upon returning to Tidewater, she became associated with Covenant United Methodist Church in Chesapeake. She enjoyed reading and studying her Bible, and working with children and the Citizens Committee for the Protection of the Elderly. Joan enjoyed boating and became associated with the USCG Auxiliary, was a qualified boating safety instructor and received an Outstanding Achievement Award for Operations, served as a Public Education Staff Officer, Historian of Division V, and various positions in Flotilla 53.
Survivors include two sons, John B. "Chip" Callahan and wife Betsy of Wilmington, NC and Charles F. "Chuck" Callahan Jr. and wife Peggy of Chesapeake; her sister, Helen B. Smith of Chesapeake (with whom she had a very special-sister relationship throughout her life); eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces Laurie Gayle Anderson and Susan Schumm and husband William of Portsmouth; nephews William W. Baker Jr. and wife Donna of Suffolk, R. Neil Baker and Royce L. Anderson of Portsmouth; and six great-nieces and -nephews. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Compassionate Care Hospice, the Visiting Physicians Association, Professional Health Care and the Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 9, at 1 p.m. in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel by the Rev. Frank Jennings. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 6350 Center Dr., Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502, or to Covenant UMC Building or Parking Lot Fund, 2004 Dock Landing Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com

Published in The Virginian Pilot on July 7, 2012