Ruth Callahan

Ruth Dodson Fowlkes Callahan passed away peacefully on February 11, 2015. She was 88 years old and lived a wonderful life being loved by two husbands, Jackson Lewis Fowlkes, the father of her children who passed away November 26, 1966 and Edwin (Bay) Callahan who passed away April 26, 2004. Ruth was a co-owner of the Continental Food Shoppe with Jack and co-owner of Coachman Cleaners with Bay. Ruth Callahan is survived by her four children, Vicky Collie (Jimmy) of Ringgold, Va., Jerry Bennett of Danville, Va., Lewis Fowlkes (Nannette) of Danville, Va., Beth Ressler of Naples, Fla. and a special niece, Julia Richardson (Whitney) of Roanoke, Va. Ruth was blessed with nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. When the four children were young, Ruth was nominated Mother of the Year in 1960 Full of life and many talents, Ruth Callahan was known for beautiful floral arrangements, gardening, playing the piano, dancing and decorating her historic home (built in 1910) which she graciously shared with many charity home tours. Ruth's home was featured in Victorian Homes, Romantic Homes and Country Victorian Magazines. Known for her festive Christmas parties, which included decorating 22 Christmas trees each year, Ruth was the entertainer of the year. If you met Ruth Callahan you never forgot her as she was an extraordinary one of a kind mother, wife, business woman and devoted friend. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 pm at Townes Memorial Chapel followed by graveside rites at Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Ruth Callahan to Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, Va. 24541.