Jane Elizabeth Cherry Calhoun
Jane Elizabeth Cherry Calhoun passed away in her home Saturday, October 31, 2020.
She was born in Nashville, Tennessee, March 10, 1921, the daughter of Joe Wesley Cherry and Louella Wolfenden Cherry.
She was preceded in death by her three siblings, Margaret, Mary Ruth and Joe. Her husband, John Davis Calhoun, a retired Jane Elizabeth Cherry Calhoun, preceded in death in 1992, after 44 years of marriage. She lived as full a life as a widow, as she did as a wife. Her joyful smile, happy laugh, and inability to meet a stranger gave love to everyone, and everyone loved her.She was preceded in death by one child, Thomas Cherry Calhoun, who sadly passed away before age 2.
She is survived by her other three children, John Delane Calhoun and wife Karen, William Malcolm (Bill) Calhoun and wife Andrea, and Ann Davis Calhoun Epperson and husband Mansford (Bow).
Also, he is survived by her three grandchildren, the two sons of Bill, Andrew Harper Calhoun and Timothy Davis Calhoun, and the son of John, Jonathan Josey Calhoun and wife Jennifer.
Although Jane was born in Nashville, Tennessee, most of her school age years were in Tucson, Arizona. The family had relocated because of her father’s tuberculosis.
After two years of business training at the University of Arizona, in 1941 she went to work in the base commander’s office of the newly formed Davis Monthan Air Force Base.
In spite of the war, she thoroughly enjoyed her work and associations there, meeting handsome officers and dancing on the rooftop with soldiers on leave.
In the spring of 1948 she met a newly assigned Captain John Davis Calhoun, of Ruston, Louisiana. They soon began dating and married in December.
John’s 30-year military career gave her a life that fit perfectly. Frequent moves were turned into opportunities for new friends and adventures. The Officers’ Wives’ Club along with military parades and balls were glamorous and exciting. She made all her suits and dresses, her handwork in sewing, knitting, embroidery, and needlepoint being meticulously perfect.
Upon her husband’s retirement in 1974, she returned with him to Ruston to live out her days.
As was her custom, she bloomed where she was planted and made Ruston her home. Her club was Culture Guild, and her favorite events were at the Dixie, Library, or Ruston’s fine churches. Her love of the arts, music, and preservation of the past motivated her steady attendance. She felt a calling to encourage others’ endeavors to these ends. She lived a long and full life, driving until past 90.
“The roadrunner,” husband John would say, as he asked her whom she had met that day. She tried very hard to always give cheer and do for others, the faithful chauffeur of her widow friends to all the gospel sing-alongs. She will be much missed but truly gave her all, even to the last breath.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 7, 2020, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Visitation will begin at noon Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.
Online Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.
