Williamson, Callie L.

Callie L. Williamson “Cal Lou” age 87 of Gary, Indiana was born April 30, 1933 to Gilbert Shepard, Sr. and Emma (Ballard) Shepard in Stanton, Tennessee. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. She was a member of City of Refuge Christian Church where she served on the Mother’s board, volunteered her cooking skills and basket-making skills at the church. She loved her Pastor, Michael Pirtle, and First lady Co-Pastor, Linda Pirtle. She would sometimes surprise them on Sunday mornings with a big pot of fresh-cooked greens. She was a devoted mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and family matriarch. She loved cooking, collecting baseball cards, making gift baskets and frequenting thrift shops. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister, brothers, son and son-in-law. She is survived by one son, Donald “Donnie” (Cassandria) Williamson of Gary, Indiana; five daughters, Bettie (Raymond) Saunders of Portage, Indiana, Dorothy Bradley of Gary, Indiana, Andrella “Ann” Wise of Dallas, Texas, Gail (Harold) Mitchell of Gary, Indiana, Tonya Williamson of Indianapolis, Indiana and nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and a host of loving relatives and friends. Visitation Friday, January 15, 2021 12 pm-7 pm with family hours from 5 pm-7 pm at Smith, Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home, 4209 Grant Street, Gary, Indiana 46408. Due to Covid-19 restrictions a maximum of 25 people at a time, masks and social distancing will be enforced. Funeral Service Saturday, January 16, 2021 11:00 AM at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 735 E. 20th Avenue, Gary, IN 46407, Pastor Marion J. Johnson, Jr., Officiating. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Park, Hobart, Indiana 46342. www.smithbizzellwarnerfuneralhome.com Sign Guestbook at chicagotribune.com/obituaries