Robert Leonard Calloway

CONCORD -Mr. Robert Leonard Calloway, 76, retired Staff Sgt. passed away on Thursday, May 7 2009. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Forest Hill United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Hobson and the Rev. Freida Hobson officiating. Entombment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. at the church. Leonard was born in Concord on April 6, 1933 and attended Concord High School. He served in the U.S. Army for five years and the N.C. National Guard for twenty-eight years with the Concord Unit. Leonard married his loving wife Carol Burrage in 1955. Carol and Leonard celebrated fifty-four years of marriage this past April. Together Leonard and Carol raised three children. Leonard enjoyed spending vacations, cookouts, and any activity that involved time with his family. His children Debbie C. Burke, David Calloway and Christi C. Long were very special to Leonard. He also leaves three very special granddaughters whom he dotted on at every opportunity. Leonard was well known at school functions, softball games and horse shows to cheer on his girls. He leaves Katie Calloway, Paige Calloway and Megan Long with many memories of a loving grandfather. Leonard was an active member of Forest Hill United Methodist Church. He was very interested in the church Friday hot dog sale. Most everyone who visited the church for lunch knew Leonard. He never met a stranger and enjoyed his time with fellow church members, neighbors and friends in his community. Leonard also leaves his daughter-in-law, Tana Calloway and two sons-in-law, Dwain Burke and Donald Long. He welcomed them into his family and loved them as his own. In addition to his Military service Leonard retired from Estes Express Lines in Charlotte. He was involved in many community activities and was a member of the Concord Moose Lodge No. 404 and D.A.V Chapter No. 27 and also served as a volunteer with Co-Operative Christian Ministry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Annie Verble Calloway, sisters, Margaret DeArmon and Ruby Kellough. Leonard leaves behind his wife, Carol Burrage Calloway, three children, Debra C. Burke and husband, Dwain, of Milford, Mich., son, R. David Calloway and wife, Tana, of Concord and Christi C. Long and husband, Donald, of Midland; three granddaughters, Katie Calloway, Paige Calloway and Megan Long; a sister, Doris C. Brown of Black Mountain; and brothers, Ralph Calloway, Gene Calloway and Jerry Calloway all of Concord. Condolences may be left on line at wilkinsonfuneralhome.com. Wilkinson Funeral Home is assisting the Calloway family.