She grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL and graduated as valedictorian of the Holt High School Class of 1957, where she was a majorette in the marching band. Joy continued her education at The University of Alabama, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degree in Mathematics within four years. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Elias Richard Callahan, Jr. (“Dick”) on June 4, 1960.
After college, Joy began her career as a high school math teacher in Chattanooga, TN where she strived to instill her love for math in each of her students. She later became an Instructor of Mathematics at Chattanooga State Community College. In 1976, she accepted the position as Director of Affirmative Action at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN, where she remained employed until her retirement in 1984.
Joy and Dick devoted their lives to each other and to raising their three children. As educators, they both worked to instill the importance of education, hard work and responsibility in their children as well as their students.
They spent the last forty years of their lives residing in Starkville, MS. Joy’s passions included working in her yard and flower garden, traveling, cooking, playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her lifelong support and enthusiasm for the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.
Joy was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Elias R. Callahan, Jr., who died on March 3, 2024. She is survived by her two brothers, Bobby Gilbreath (Jackie) of Murphy, NC and Ken Gilbreath (Marilyn) of Boston, MA; two sons, Rick Callahan (Karen) of Houston, TX and Robby Callahan (Lori) of Scottsboro, AL; daughter Debbie Goebel (Kerry) of Houston, TX; nine grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The First United Methodist Church in Starkville, MS, located at 200 W. Lampkin Street.
