Marcia Joan Callihan

Marcia Joan Powell Callihan passed from this life to eternity with Jesus on August 7, 2025, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by her loving family.

Marcia was born July 21, 1948, in Lexington to Chester and Geneva (Johnson) Powell and spent her young life in Ashland, KY with siblings Gary, Ruth and Jim, graduating from Paul Blazer High School in the class of 1966. She studied English at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, where she met her husband, (Larry) Craig Callihan and they wed in 1969. Their sons Todd and Ben were born in the following decade, fulfilling Marcia's desire of being a wife, mother, and homemaker for her family.

Marcia lived with strength, courage, joy and laughter through many health battles and chronic pain due to autoimmune disease. She loved with the whole of her strength, often working to exhaustion and beyond her physical ability in her desire to serve and provide for others. She worked for many years as a coordinator of pastoral care at Centenary United Methodist Church, caring for newcomers, young couples entering marriage, families recently bereaved and with those who needed hospital or home visitation. All who met Marcia were blessed by her graciousness, generosity and warmth and were welcomed into a nurturing companionship as one of her truest gifts was to provide a respite for weary hearts. She discipled women in their developing faith, led and instructed novice lay pastors and readily shared the faithfulness of God in her life.

Those who shared Marcia's life and carry her memory include her husband of 56 years, Craig, sons Todd and Ben, daughters in love Korinne and Courtney and treasured grandchildren Joshua, Riley and Geneva who were the "lights of her life". In addition, she lives on in her close relationships with Ruth Kingkade, Sally Becraft, JoyAnna Anderson, MaryBeth Ludt, Donna Peach and many others… all of whom encouraged, loved, and laughed with Marcia throughout her life.

Visitation for Marcia will be held at Kerr Brothers funeral home on Harrodsburg Road in Lexington on Thursday, August 14 from 12-2 pm. A funeral service will be held at 2pm. Marcia will be laid to rest in Lexington Cemetery near the graves of her beloved parents. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made if desired to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To honor and remember Marcia's generosity of spirit, please share a spontaneous kindness with others as we remember that our love exists because Jesus first loved us (1 John 4:7-8). If you're looking for something specific to remember her by, enjoy Marcia's favorite Coca-Cola from McDonald's, of course with extra ice. Thank you for loving and honoring Marcia in her life. She loved you so… and wants you to know that Jesus loves you even more.