Ezora Callaway

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings:

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark or even eagles flew—

And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Ezora Royer Callaway, 96, slipped the surly bonds of Earth and put out her hand to touch the face of God at 11:19 AM on Friday, May 25, 2018.

A shy, very quiet little lady, she was born on May 14, 1922 in Oretta, Louisiana to Golda Kendall Royer and John Isaac Royer.

She soon moved with her parents to Dequincy, LA. She attended early elementary school in Dequincy until she was eight years of age. In 1930, she moved with her mother and sister, Betty, to Ingalls, KS. She continued school in Ingalls, until she was in tenth grade when she moved with her mother and sister to Cimmaron, KS. She graduated from Cimmaron High School in 1940.

A new trade school opened in Lake Charles, LA about the time she graduated high school. Attendance was free of charge so she moved to Lake Charles to live with her cousin, Wanda Smith Cooley, and attended the new trade school. She studied secretarial skills. She was very proficient, especially in short hand, and soon was hired by the Beauregard Parish Welfare office in DeRidder, LA.

While working in DeRidder, she met her husband to be, Winfred Arnold Callaway. They were married in January 1942 and this bond continued until her husband died April 11, 2002, a union of sixty years.

Two children were born of this union, Bette Jeanne and Terry Marion Callaway.

Mrs. Callaway spent most of her life as a homemaker, the epitome of Proverbs 31:10-13. A virtuous woman whose price was far above rubies. She worked registrations at McNeese State College as a key punch operator to fund her children’s education and help them achieve a college degree.

Mrs. Callaway was a longtime member of Hodges Street United Pentecostal Church, which is today, Apostolic Temple. She served as Sunday School secretary for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, mother, Golda Saphronia Royer; father, John Isaac Royer; sister, Betty Jewel Royer; half-brother, Hollie Huey Royer; and half-sisters, Danita Royer and Dolores Willis.

Mrs. Callaway is survived by her children, Bette J. Cooley and husband Larry and Terry Callaway and wife Judy; three grandchildren, Craig Scott Cooley, David Erin Callaway, and Tanis Annisa Callaway; and one great-grandchild, Elijah Martinez. Her brother, John Junior Royer and wife Barbara; and half-brother, Calvin Royer and wife Anna also survive her.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at Apostolic Temple, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Reverend Ricky Treece will officiate. A Graveside service will be held at 3:30 PM on Sunday at Swearingen Cemetery in Warren, TX. Visitation will be at the church on Sunday from 9:30 AM until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Apostolic Temple, 2711 West Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605.