Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel
912-754-6421 (fax) 912-754-3426
P.O. Box 295
Springfield, GA 31329
Mary Elizabeth Davis Martin Calhoun
Mary Elizabeth Davis Martin Calhoun passed away on December 7, 2016, at her daughter's home.
Mary Elizabeth Davis was born in South Newport, Georgia, on April 17, 1931. She was the second daughter born to the Braxton Ebenezer Davis and Josephine Elizabeth Harn Davis. When Mary was two, she lost her sister, Ellen Greta Davis, to diphtheria and when Mary was four her father died from a fall. Mary was blessed with two wonderful stepfathers, Horace Whitney Martin who died in an traffic accident when Mary was eight and Otis Walburg Stewart who passed away suddenly when Mary was 35. In addition to her mother, father, step-fathers, and sister, Mary was predeceased by two half-sisters, Nona Irene Martin and Evelyn Inez Martin Hall, two step-sisters and one step-brother.
Mary's family descends from original settlers who were granted land by King George II in the Bryan Neck Keller area of Bryan County. She was reared in Savannah where she attended Commercial High School and Emanuel Baptist Church. She was introduced to Lewis Mitchell Calhoun of Springfield at a baseball game in Savannah's Grayson Stadium. They married on April 21, 1948, and Mary moved to Mitchell's home town of Springfield. She joined the Springfield Baptist Church located in the heart of Springfield. She was a long-time Sunday School teacher and served in numerous capacities throughout the years. Early in their marriage Mary worked side-by-side with Mitchell in the family owned Calhoun Tractor Company located on the southern end of town. Later Mary worked in the medical field as an insurance clerk, including 22 years with Dr. Ray D. Webb and 12 years with Effingham County Emergency Medical System. She also volunteered for many years with the American Red Cross Blood Mobile. Mary was small in stature yet big on life. She enjoyed a small but fun gathering. Mary loved dancing, especially with Mitchell. After her retirement, she enjoyed being outside, particularly lying on the beach at Tybee. She enjoyed day trips with her daughter, volunteering, or playing rummikub, canasta and dominos. Her beloved "Bug" (her nickname for Mitchell) passed away in 2005 after 57 years of marriage. During the next 12 years, Mary valued her time with family, friends, and neighbors. She also enjoyed her twice a day walks around her neighborhood with her much-loved dog, Hershey.
Mary is survived by her a daughter, two sons and their spouses: Christopher Kellton Calhoun (Debbie), Karla Ellen Calhoun (Gene) Lang, Kim Stewart (Audrey) Calhoun. She is survived by nine grandchildren and spouses: Katy Calhoun Morgan (Tony), Kelly Calhoun Rahn (Brad), Braxton Calhoun, Kayla Calhoun, and Kyndle Calhoun, Courtney Lang (Ariane), Jacob Lang, Patrick Calhoun, and Kristian Calhoun Hunt (Zach). In addition, Mary is survived by eleven great-grandchildren: Paul, Lydia and Madelyn Morgan, Branton, Brady, Baylor and Kinzey Rahn, Nyssa and Ailith Lang, and Logan and Benton Hunt. Mary is also survived by a brother-in-law, Ralph Hall, a nephew, Lamar Hall and family, a step-sister, Virginia Godbee, a sister-and-brother-in-law, Teresa and Malcom Weaver, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mary left this message to her children,
"To my wonderful three K's. You are definitely originals
and free thinkers. Continue on and stay close."
Mary asked that you not stand at her grave and weep as she is not there. She has gone to be with "Bug". She is in the summer sun and rains that she loved. Mary is dancing in heaven, waltzing while the angels sing.
The family wishes to thank Sarah Goldwire and Claudine Chambers, the best care givers "in the whole wide world". They also wish to express their appreciation to Tonja, Katrina, Drew and Lori at Spanish Oaks Hospice for their compassionate care, their guidance, and especially their friendship.
Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with funeral services following at 2 p.m. in the chapel.
Interment will follow in Union Cemetery.
Remembrances may be given to the charity of your choice.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons
Funeral Home
Effingham Chapel
(912)754-6421