Obituary: Nellie Joyce Callaway
Nellie Joyce Callaway, 95, went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 27, 2024, surrounded by her three loving daughters. She was born on July 10, 1929, to the late Joseph Robert Joyce and Grace Price Joyce in Stoneville, NC.
Nellie was valedictorian at Stoneville High School, received an Associate Degree from Mars Hill Junior College, a B.S. in Home Economics from Woman's College (UNCG), a M.S. from The Ohio State University, and became a registered dietitian. After her education, she worked as a dietitian at NC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. She met her husband, David Martin Callaway, through their sisters who were friends in college. They married and lived in Fayetteville, NC where she was head dietitian at the VA Hospital. They began their family and then moved to Kinston, NC, where she was director of dietetics at Caswell Center. Nellie also taught at Lenoir Community College, worked at the Health Department in Greene County, was an adjunct professor of nutrition at East Carolina University, and was a regional nutrition program consultant at the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Her exceptional work was recognized by Governor Jim Hunt who inducted her into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Nellie’s most enjoyable moments were spending time with family and friends. She loved the family’s annual vacation week at the beach, family reunions, and her many travels with her husband and siblings. She was a member of the Fayetteville Garden Club, the Kinston Country Club Ladies Golf Association, the Kinston Lions Auxiliary, and the Order of Eastern Star. She was an active member of Queen Street United Methodist Church in Kinston, NC, serving in many capacities and a dedicated member of the chancel choir for over 40 years. Nellie volunteered for many charities over the years and had a servant’s heart.
In addition to her parents and husband, Nellie was preceded in death by her brothers, Joe, Sanford, and Buddy Joyce; sisters, Nancy Dunlap and Rejane Goode.
Nellie is survived by her daughters, Jane Callaway Richards (Don) of Raleigh, NC, Peggy Callaway of Virginia Beach, VA, and Joyce Callaway Ledbetter (Randy) of Raleigh, NC; grandson, Taylor Callaway Richards (Sarah Jane) of Raleigh, NC; granddaughters, Hannah Richards Rafidi of Wake Forest, NC, Rebecca Ledbetter of Raleigh, NC, and Hope Ledbetter-Bock (Adam) of Durham, NC.; five great-grandchildren; brother, Douglas Joyce (Patsy) of Stoneville, NC; sister, Brenda Allen of Greensboro, NC; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers in the Stewart Health Center at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community for their genuine love and care for Nellie.
Visitation is scheduled for November 2, 2024,10:30–11:30 a.m. at Edwards Funeral Home, 702 North Queen Street, Kinston, NC. A graveside service will follow at noon at Pinelawn Memorial Park, 4488 US-70, Kinston, NC. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 3, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Queen Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 508, Kinston, NC 28502 or Springmoor Endowment Fund (www.springmoor.org/a-welcoming-community/endowment-fund), 1500 Sawmill Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27615.
Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
