Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Manuel Calloway Sr. was born July 25, 1939, in Rayville, Louisiana to the union of Prince Albert Calloway, Sr. and Kate Lee (Harris) Calloway. Both Parents preceded him in death as well as his daughter Lisa Calloway. He was the fourth of fifteen children, seven brothers and seven sisters, of whom he now reunites in rest with Bernard, Roosevelt, John, Irene, Teresa, Willie, and Shirley Mae. On Friday, January 21, 2022, Reverend Manuel Calloway Sr. heard the call from The Lord and he answered gladly. Reverend Calloway was always up for a conversation about The Lord and talking about scripture to everyone he met. He never met a stranger, with or without eye contact. He was going to strike up a conversation with you. He did his due diligence to uplift all of those that came into his presence. He left home at the age of 11 and became a plumber which he mastered. He received his Journeyman's license on March 3, 1969. His license expired on January 31, 1984. He then passed the Texas Master examination, which is a written competency examination as well as a mechanical examination. He made a 42.3 on the written part of the examination and a 37.0 on the shop part of the examination with a total grade of 79.3. He was issued a Master License #M-5901 on May 14, 1970. This information is at the Texas State Board of Plumbing in Austin, TX dated November 14, 2002. This was just one of his many accomplishments, he also had plumbing licenses in two other states as well. He became a self-made man even though he couldn't read or write until he went to The Good Will School in Seattle WA in 1996 at the age of 49 where he became an Ambassador for the school. He was so excited about attending school and finally having the opportunity to learn how to read. He always knew that education would open doors and opportunities for him and others in his family. Even though he didn't know how to read he was well versed in the knowledge of The Word of God. He would spend hours on end listening to and reading the Word of God as it was his favorite past time. He had several ministers that he mentored and was always up for teaching and talking about The Lord. In 1961 he became a father for the first time when Caesar Rhone was born. He married Ellen Roberson and to that union two children were born Manuel Calloway Jr. and Tonya Calloway. He married Maxine Cunningham and he gained a bonus son Randy Cunningham and to this union two children were born Lisa and Jacqueline Calloway. He also married Emma Gillis Calloway in 1989 in Seattle WA. He later married Drucilla Calloway in 2015 in Monroe LA. Maxine, Emma and Drucilla all preceded him in death. Whenever he had the time, you could find him on the fishing bank or in a boat catching fish. He also liked hunting and did so whenever he could. He loved traveling all over the country and especially to any African American Museum he could find. When he found out last year that he was from African Royalty he was ready to make a trip to the Motherland and he was planning his trip there at the end of the year. He was so excited when he received his test results from 23 and Me to find out where his ancestors came from, and he was ready to go and meet the ones that are still there. When it came to family and family love you couldn't beat him loving on his family. He helped so many people in his family become plumbers and start their own businesses as well as others. There was nothing you could ask him, and he wouldn't do all that he could do to assist you. He started the very first Calloway Family Reunion in 1981 which continues to this day. He would always say "We are a family of solutions not problems". Another one of his sayings was, "We Are One." His pride and joy were his family not just children, grand and great grandchildren but his entire family. He had special relationships with so many of his aunts, uncles, and cousins of all ages. He leaves to cherish his memories; his children Randy Cunningham, Caesar Rhone, Rev. Manuel D Calloway Jr. (Kimberly), Tonya Calloway, Jacqueline Calloway, Bonus children Doctor Larry T Brantley Jr, Jamila Brantley-Elmore (Emery), Julius Brantley (Willonda), Eight Grandchildren Christopher Abraham, Donte Louis, Timothy Aquirre, Precious Calloway, Manuel Calloway III, Danika Evans (Mark), La'Terria Mack (Michael) Khary Calloway-Powell, Ten Great Grand Children Anaiah Mathews, Preston Calloway, Kirstyn Belin, Austin Mathews, Karter Belin, Lexi Mack, Kingston Powell, Laila Mack, Amarah Evans, Princeton Mack, Four Brothers David Calloway (Josie), Prince P.A. Calloway Jr., Leroy Calloway, Fred Calloway (Geneva); Three Sisters Ora Lee Winston (Lemmie), Florence Johnson, Ophelia Lockett, One Sister-in Law, Linda Calloway, two Aunts Vallena Winston (Elonzo), Tobithia Calloway, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services are Saturday February 5, 2022 at 2pm, at Greater Free Gift Baptist Church 5510 Hwy. 165 South in Monroe LA. Visitation is Friday February 4, 2022 from 3:30 to 6:00 pm at Greater Free Gift Baptist Church.

Manuel Calloway Sr.