Katie M. McCallum

Katie Mae McCallum (nee Norman) was the eldest of ten children born to Charles Sr. and Lillie Mae Norman in Bay Springs, MS on July 2, 1943. She attended Bay Springs Vocational High School where she graduated in 1963. She immediately married her high school sweetheart, Stanley McCallum, on May 27, 1963. They remained married for 57 years and had two children, Ralph McCallum and Sonia McCallum.

The Journey of Katie McCallum

Katie first left Mississippi with her husband for Chicago, IL in 1963. In 1964, they departed Chicago for Erie, PA where she lived near her husband’s family and he enlisted in the Army. As an Army soldier’s wife, she moved to Lawton, OK in 1964, and again 1966, the couple moved to Wahiawa, HI where they lived while Stanley was deployed to Vietnam during the war. They moved to Fort Knox, KY upon his return that same year. In 1968, they moved to Joliet, IL, where they lived for over 30 years, raised two children, and retired from their careers. Katieworked at First Student, Inc. as a school bus driver in Crest Hill, IL until her retirement in January 2006.

In her golden years, she continued to travel and move to different parts of the country. She and her husband moved to Memphis, TN in 2009, and to Tampa, FL in 2011. In 2012, she moved to Charlotte, NC where she resided until her transition.

An exceptional cook, Katie loved to prepare large meals for her family and friends. She served as both Steward and cook at Brown Chapel, AME church in Joliet. She traveled extensively throughout her life, driving to different areas of the country and stopping at various casinos along the way. Her favorite pastime was to play slot machines, or “pull those one-armed bandits”, as she would say.

Katie also spent many years as an active member of severalPrince Hall Masonic organizations and achieved numerous titles and recognition both locally and within the state of Illinois. She became the Past Matron of Victoria Chapter 129, Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S); Past Loyal Lady Ruler of Marquette Joliet Assembly #87, Golden Circle, and Past State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler, State of Illinois, Grand Assembly; Past Commandress ofAl Hamid Court #203, Daughters; and Past Most Ancient Matron, Amistad Court #85 of the Heroines of Jericho.

She passed away peaceful at her home on August 26, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Katie leaves a lasting legacy and a large, loving family including her husband, Stanley of Charlotte, NC; son, Ralph of Grand Forks, MN; daughter, Sonia of Charlotte, NC; grandson, Kenyatta Travis of Joliet, IL; granddaughter, Crescent LaJoie of Charlotte, NC; four brothers, Charles Jr. (Cloria) of Sandy Hook, MS; Ander (Edna) of Bay Springs, MS; Johnny of Jackson, MS; Bobby (Jackie) of Newton, MS; three sisters, Lillie Hatten of Bay Springs, MS; Donzell Gavin of Bay Springs, MS; Annie (Charles) Harris of Flint, MI; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Sr. and Lillie Mae Norman; sister, Johnnie Mae Wells; and brother, William Norman.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katie M. McCallum, please visit our floral store.