Annie Russell-Callum

Funeral services for Annie Russell-Callum will be held Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home. Face masks will be required. Interment will follow at Roberson Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. There will be a walk-in viewing July 1, 2021 and July 2, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She departed this life Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Morrow, Clayton County.

Mrs. Annie Russell-Callum was born of the union of the late Reverend J.C. and Rosa Lee Owens on August 29, 1938 in Valdosta, Lowndes County. She was the youngest daughter of 12 children. She joined in holy matrimony to the late Reverend A.W. Russell, and they had one son, Navarro Pierre Russell; daughter-in law, Marcia Russell; and two grand-children, Kelli and Navarro Pierre Russell Jr., of Morrow.

Several years later, she re-married the late Mr. Altamont Callum.

Mrs. Russell-Callum received a Bachelor of Science from Savannah State College in Savannah; an M.Ed. in Reading Specialist from the University of Georgia in Athens, and did further study at UGA. She also received an E.Ds. from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro as well as received certifications in elementary education, English and literature, and reading specialist.

She worked at East Georgia College in several capacities. She served as Director of Developmental Studies, Assistant Professor of Communication, Minority Advising Coordinator, and Advisor for the Afro American Union. Her teaching experience included Central High School, Screven County High School, and Blakeley Junior High School as a reading clinician. Mrs. Russell-Callum was the first black professor hired to teach at East Georgia College.

Mrs. Callum belonged to several honor societies: Who’s Who Among Students in America Colleges and Universities, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the Kappa Delta Phi Honor Society in Education, and Who’s Who Among College Teachers. Her professional affiliations include the International Reading Association, the Georgia Council for Teachers of Reading, the Regents Sub-Committee on Reading, the Advisory Council on Developmental Studies, and the Regents’ Testing Committee (writer of items for Regents’ Reading Test).

She was an active member of Roberson Grove Baptist Church in Midville, where she served as co-pastor. She was also a Sunday school teacher, the church historian, and member of the choir. Mrs. Callum received an A.S. in Theology from Beacon State University in 2005 and a B.S. in Theology from there in 2007. She was a licensed minister.

Survivors include her son, David Callum, of Dallas, Texas; daughter, AnneMarie Deserverines of Dallas; son, Karl Callum of College Park; daughter Rosie of Dallas; Paul Callum; and host of nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of arrangements.