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Mrs. Martha Moffatt Parkinson Calaway, 57
Charlotte Observer, The (NC) - Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Martha Moffatt Parkinson Calaway, 57, died on her birthday January 31, 2010, at Carolinas Medical Center following a decades long fight against muscular dystrophy. She graciously accepted the obstacles God put in her way. Every day she bravely made her way around them with a big smile to the delight of friends and family. Heaven is her reward. Known as 'Mott' or 'Moe' to her many friends, famed for her upbeat personality, she was her Lord's finest example of always putting others before oneself.
A Charlotte native, Martha attended East Mecklenburg High School and graduated from Grimsley Senior High School in Greensboro in 1971, after her family had relocated there temporarily. She returned to Charlotte, enrolling at UNCC, where she graduated in 1975. Until her disability caused her to retire, she worked for the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services. On a blind date to the circus on St. Patrick's Day in 1978, she met Ohio native John Dennis 'Jack' Calaway. They later joked that their 32 years together facing day-to-day challenges was an ongoing circus. On September 13, 1980, they wed at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Rock Hill, SC, pledging before God, family and friends to cherish and care for one another in bad times as well as good. (Life with an angel like Martha was nothing but good times). The couple resided in Catawba, SC for a couple of years before moving to Charlotte in 1985. Martha was active during her early years in Charlotte with several groups for disabled citizens, including the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Physically Disabled Adults, Inc. She received the Robert Friedland Award from the latter organization for her service and inspiration. She cherished the many friends she met through those groups over the years. She enjoyed attending social and entertainment events with her husband and friends, the old Hornets basketball games, and doing things for other people. She always looked forward to trips to Pawley's Island and Kiawah Island with 'best buds' Ann Baker, Alice Scott and the late Barbara Wilfong, and maintaining lifelong friendships with childhood pals Becky Scott Hollowell, Linda Enos Beam and Amy Jorgansen. She enjoyed the visits and warmth shared by cherished friends Sherrie Morrow and Susan Spencer.
A descendant of staunch Associated Reformed Presbyterian ministers, Martha is survived by her husband, who will mourn her until they are reunited. Also surviving are her mother, Sara Bradley Parkinson of Charlotte; a sister, Cynthia Jill Benson of Hickory; nieces Jill (Nick) Peth of Monroe, Sara Emily (Timothy) Carleo of Concord, Kindra Ann Butterfield Williams of Rock Hill; and nephew Kevin Richard (Pam) Butterfield of Charlotte. She was especially attached to her many uncles and aunts, including Charles and Grace Bradley of Belton, SC; Frank and Barbara Bradley Snipes of Belton; Jean Blackston of Oxford, MS and Thomas F. Parkinson of Aiken, SC. She leaves many doting cousins including Jane Bradley Bump, Chae Lu Snipes Hinson, Margaret Smith Jones, Martha Moffatt Parkinson Craddock, Stroder Snipes, Frank Snipes, Jr. and Rose Schmeiske. Her first grand nephew, Ben Peth, especially delighted Martha. Martha was preceded in death by her father, James Moffatt Parkinson, and by her beloved grandmother, Martha Moffatt Parkinson. Her husband and family greatly appreciate the service and dedication of the many home caregivers who assisted Martha throughout adulthood, and by the doctors and nurses of Charlotte Medical Clinic and Carolinas Rehabilitation.
Donations in her memory may be made to the television ministry of First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Suite 701, 1515 Mockingbird Lane, Charlotte, NC 28209. McEwen Funeral Services, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28212 has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Visitation will be observed at the funeral home from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, February 4, followed by a service to celebrate her life in the McEwen chapel at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Sharon Memorial Park, adjacent to the funeral home.
As published in Charlotte Observer, The (NC) - Wednesday, February 3, 2010 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201720246/martha-moffatt-calaway
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