Bobbye Lou Callaway

Bobbye Lou Johnson Callaway, age 82 of Lampasas, departed this life September 13, 2019. Her loving husband of almost 63 years, Roy Callaway, rarely left her side. The Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at 1:00 PM at Lampasas First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Paul Allan officiating. Burial will be the following day at Guiceland Cemetery in Grapeland, Texas, at 1:00 PM.   Bobbye Lou was born on November 6, 1936, in Center, Texas, to J.W. Johnson and Lucille Watson. Bobbye Lou grew up in East Texas and Austin. She attended Humble High School until Smiley High School was built her senior year. While in high school she played basketball, was in the choral club, the dramatics club, the Spanish club, the pep squad, FHA and was senior class secretary. She graduated from Smiley High School in 1955. After high school, she attended South West Texas State Teacher’s College to become a teacher. After one semester, she went home and began dating one of her high school classmates, Roy Callaway, who proposed at the Princess Diner in East Houston. On October 12, 1956, she married the love of her life. Bobbye and Roy attended church regularly and left a little Baptist church with Rev. John Osteen to found a new church they called Lakewood.   Bobbye and Roy had three children, Jeri, Doug, and Scott. They continued to attend church regularly. Bobbye Lou was a devoted wife, loving mother, beloved sister, aunt and friend. While raising three children, she attended Sam Houston State University, where she received a degree in secondary education in English and history. She became a fourth generation Texas teacher and dedicated her knowledge and love of English to many students over the years. She was named Humble High School’s Teacher of the Year and was named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers two years.   God was first in her life and she raised her children to be the same way. She loved her family fiercely and was the original “mama bear.” She never missed her children’s performances or sporting events. Her greatest joy was her 5 grandchildren whom she adored and loved “to the moon and back.” She was lovingly known as Meme.   After 20 years in Humble ISD, Bobbye retired in 1998. In 1999, Roy and Bobbye moved from Humble to Lampasas, where they built a home and began attending the First United Methodist Church. After realizing she missed teaching and helping her students, she came out of retirement and began teaching English at Copperas Cove High School. She enjoyed another 5 years before again retiring and focusing on traveling with Roy and loving her grandchildren.   Bobbye Lou was preceded in death by her parents J.W. and Pauline Johnson and Lucille Davis, in-laws Roy and Della Callaway, brother Jerry Davis and sisters in law Mary Matkin and Barbara Davis. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Roy Callaway of Lampasas, her children Jeri and Jody Hudson, Doug and Diane Callaway, Scott and Debra Callaway; her grandchildren Jacob, Jera and Joshua Hudson, and Colin and Brooke Callaway; her brothers and sisters Ted Matkin, Max Davis (Linda), Judy Reagor (Billy), Brenda Tyler Davis, Judy Weaver (Ted), and Cindy Barkley (Toot); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and friends. Serving as Pallbearers will be Jacob Hudson, Colin Callaway, Joshua Hudson, Billy Reagor, Rob Francis, Jeffrey Francis, Russell Stilley and Joseph Davis. Honorary pallbearers will be Neil Matkin, John Davis, George Davis, Gary Davis, Charles Weaver and Billy Laney.   Contributions can be made to Lampasas First United Methodist Church. The family would like to thank Maggie Cook, Lampasas Nursing and Rehab, and Dr. Robin Gruen for their loving care.