Nevetta Estelle (Callahan) Morrison |
| Posted 2008-06-30 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007 On Aug. 30,1908 in a small Texas town named Paint Rock, M. M. and Mary Emmaline Callahan welcomed their first child ... Nevetta Estelle. By the age of 7, the Callahan family included Lowell, Lester and Leona. A pioneer farming family looking to find better farmland, they worked a bean farm in Mountainaire, N. M., for one crop year and then set out for Arizona in a covered wagon for a better opportunity. Gilbert, Ariz. became their "settling" spot with good soil and improved living conditions. Nevetta and her siblings thrived here. Although farm chores were hard, lots of singing in this musical family helped to lighten the workload and Nevetta was a songbird right from the beginning. In the one-room school-houses of the time, she excelled as a student and after high schoolshe enrolled in a teacher's college known as ASU today. Her plan was to become a kindergarten teacher. But, Lee Morrison, a handsome young man just returning from a stint in the Army, soon altered her plans. After a short, but proper courtship (of course), Lee and Nevetta were married on June 18, 1927. On June 18, 2002, the couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Now that's a marriage! During the early years together, they lived a rather nomadic life, but settled back in Phoenix to raise three daughters, Helen, Dixie and Shirley. Nevetta's interests included sports (pitched for women's championship team in Thatcher, Ariz., in her 20s) walking/hiking (member of Prescott Camper Club) singing (Alto voice section of Lyric Singers in Phoenix during 60s), costume and apparel construction throughout her mid-life and playing dominoes right up to the end. Lee and Nevetta resided in Prescott from the mid 70s until Lee's death in December 2002. Soon afterward, she moved back to the valley, leaving many loving friends, neighbors and "caring folks" who had the great fortune of experiencing Nevetta's amazing zest for life, gracious personality and strength of character. On Sunday, Nov 11, 2007, with members of her loving family at her bedside, Nevetta shed her earthly bonds and her spirit departed this world. The Morrison extended family has suffered the loss of their adored and admired matriarch and heaven has surely gained a "new" angel. Nevetta is survived by two daughters, Dixie Lee and Shirley; having been preceded in death by daughter Helen and grandson, Greg. She is survived by 12 grandchildren, Sandra, Terry, Holly, Rick, Glenn, Karen, Rhonda, Mike, Tim and Mathew; four great grandchildren, Kyle, Natalie, Aaron and Steven. A celebrational memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, in the Mariposa Gardens Cemetery Chapel, 6747 E Broadway Road (SW Corner Power and Broadway), in Mesa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charitable organization of your choice. Information provided by survivors. |
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