Robert Douglas “Doug” Calabrese, 62, longtime resident of Houlka,
departed this life on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Brookwood Baptist Medical
Center in Birmingham, AL, following an extended illness. Doug was born on October
23, 1961, in Tuscaloosa, AL, to the late Robert A. and Rena Mae Goodwin
Calabrese. He spent several years in Sumiton, AL, before moving to Houlka and
making it home with his wife of 28 years, Letitia Gann Calabrese. A valued
employee of TVA, Doug was a substation maintenance electrician for over 23 years.
He was also a proud member of IBEW Local 852 for nearly 40 years, traveling all
over the United States as an inside journeyman wireman.
A Christian, Doug was a man with an all-around “good soul”. He was well respected
for being gentle, soft spoken, and treating everyone he met with compassion. Living
by the “golden rule”, Doug always treated others the way he wanted to be treated,
even if they were not a “Roll Tide” fan. He was a hippie at heart and loved music and
Alabama football.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 3 PM Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at the
Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. David Blackwell officiating.
Visitation will be from 1 PM until service time. A private family burial will follow
in Halsell Cemetery in Houlka.
Those left to cherish his memories include his wife Letitia, whom he celebrated their
28 th anniversary on June 29th , his only child, Bobby Calabrese of Houlka, one sister,
Pam Parsons (Terry) of Sumiton, AL, his brother-in-law, Wayne Gann (Karon)
of Springtown, TX, his sister-in-law Cindy Calabrese of Dora, AL, five nieces,
Lindsay Patterson (Andrew), Kelsie Grayson (Micah), Kaite Calabrese, Christine
Spikes (Kevin), and Tiffany Caswell (Caleb), and two nephews, Michael Calabrese,
and Anthony Carr. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John
Calabrese, his mother-in-law, Sue Gann, and his special canine companion, Buddy.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Calabrese, Terry Parsons, Wayne Gann, Lloyd Perrigin,
Vince Britton, and Chris Taylor.
Memorial can be directed to Tupelo Lee Humane Society, P.O. Box 2143 , Tupelo,
MS 38803 or ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place,
Memphis, TN 38105
Holland Funeral Directors are honored to serve Doug’s friends.
