Helen Callison

December 30, 1930 - October 9, 2019

Helen Blackburn Callison departed life on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 6:05am at French Manor Assisted Living on 7th Street in Traverse City. Helen was born on December 19, 1930 in Springfield, Missouri to Della Calkin Blackburn and Aubrey Res Blackburn of Stoutland, MO. Helen sang for the war bond effort during WWII as a child and was musically trained in piano and voice through college. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State College in 1950, where she received her B.S. degree in education with majors in music and art; also, a diploma in voice. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Social Sorority, Treble Club and Delta Phi Delta. Helen married James Roe Callison (Cally) on December 3, 1950 in the First Baptist Church of Stoutland, MO. Helen and Cally had three children; Carol Anne (Cookie), James Patrick and Thomas Lance. Helen taught elementary music for the Traverse City school district for 25 years. She was responsible for the music education at numerous Traverse City elementary schools. Helen also traveled among the schools to organize, rehearse for and present Christmas and Easter programs for each school; a mammoth undertaking. After their children were grown and on their own, Helen and Cally loved their trips to the southwest, the west and the Rockies. They traveled extensively, both in the U.S. and abroad. While growing up in Stoutland, MO, Helen loved riding her horses, hunting with her Dad and Uncle and became a life long avid reader. In her later years, she got a kick out of reading “romantic westerns”. Helen had a ferocious sweet tooth. There was plenty of chocolate covered cherries, cupcakes and her favorite; cherry pie, to satisfy her sweet cravings. She and her husband spent 25 years going to Eaton’s Ranch in Wolf, Wyoming to ride horses in the Big Horn Mountains. She continued going to ride at Eaton’s for an additional 10 years after the death of her husband. Helen is survived by her sister, Dr. Veralee (Joe) Hardin, her daughter Cookie Callison, son Tom (Deb) Callison, daughter in law Tamyra Callison, grandchildren; Danielle (Matt) Callison Douglas, LeeAnne Callison Douglas, Kathryn Henning Callison, Cara (AJ) Callison, Kelsey Callison (Matt) Wladyka and great grandchildren; Callison Hayden Stocstill, Olivia Royal Stocstill, Emerson Marshall Seger and Bowen Matthew Wladyka. The family will be celebrating Helen’s life in a private service. Helen loved the outdoors, so please consider memorial contributions to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com share your memories with the family.