Deacon Henry Lee Calhoun Sr.

Published 6:00 am Friday, January 9, 2015

Deacon Henry Lee Calhoun Sr., was born Nov. 3, 1947, in Valdosta, Ga.,  to the late Arthur G. Calhoun, Sr. and the late Celia Mae Miller Calhoun.

He was educated in the Lowndes County School System.  Early on, Henry Lee showed his tenacity as a high school football player at Westside High School.  That tenacity would characterize his energetic person throughout his days. After graduating from Westside High, he received his HVAC Certification from trade school.  He furthered his education at the Valdosta State College.

Henry Lee, fondly called, “Papa Jack,” proved to be a “Jack of all trades”, while working in various construction fields.  He eventually settled into his position as a grounds keeper and landscaper for Valdosta State University.

He led a life full of service in the community as a community activist for the improvement of his community. He served The Weed and Seed Campaign, The Living Wage Campaign, Voters Registration, and the Rainbow Coalition.

After conquering his own addictions, Henry impacted the lives of many recovering addicts through counsel and sponsorship. He continued his work in the community by counseling Lowndes County Jail inmates and in the Valdosta State prison. He was added to the River Street Church of Christ congregation where he demonstrated his strong faith and became a deacon.

Deacon Calhoun was called from labor to reward, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his grandparents: Gertrude W. Miller, George Miller, Jr., Edell B. Parker, and V G Golden; one brother: Robert E. Calhoun; two aunts: Emily R. Miller and Amy M. Major; one uncle: Freddie L. Miller; and three brothers in-law: David L. Herring, James E. Herring, and Clifford Woods.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 43 years Carolyn B. Calhoun of Valdosta; two sons: Henry L. Calhoun, Jr. (Ann) of Valdosta,  and Troy B. Calhoun of Atlanta; three grandchildren,  Adreanna Phillips, Adalis Calhoun, and Anasjha Bridges; one great-grandson, Isaiah Johnson; seven sisters, Emma J. Daniels (Tony), Vermille C. Blake, Diana L. Calhoun, Brenda Roundtree, Wanda Calhoun, Regina E. Robinson (Eugene) and Karen Terrell (Freddie); two brothers, Arthur G. Calhoun, Jr. (Avery) and Melvin Roundtree (Doretha); two uncles, Lamar Golden (Evelyn) and Charles N. Golden; nine sisters-in-law, Arvera Vickers (Joseph), Johnnie L. Herring, Lucinda Donaldson, Dora L. Johnson, Mable Bennett, Gwendolyn Jefferson (Henry), Lusharon Wiley, Cathy Folsome, and Vanessa Williams (Wallace);  seven brothers-in-law: Elisha Herring (Rita), John W. Herring, Sr. (Rita), Cleveland Herring (Sandra), Demetrius Woods (Eloise), James Burgman (Jacqueline), Timothy Burgman, and Jeffrey Burgman (Brenda); one special cousin, George Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, friends and his River Street Church of Christ family.

The celebration of life for the late Deacon Henry Lee Calhoun, Sr, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at 1 p.m., from the sanctuary of the River Street Church of Christ, 619 River Street, Valdosta.  Min. Eric Cureton will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Pallbearers Cemetery.

Public viewing will be on today from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. at Godfrey Funeral Home.  

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.godfreyfuneralhome.net.  — Godfrey Funeral Home, LLC.