With deep sadness, we announce the loss of our Mama and Gran, Doris Faust Callies. On Saturday, she hugged our Daddy again for the first time in 16 years.
On her side of heaven, there were many happy tears. On our side of heaven, we have finally said goodbye with tears of missing what was.
Doris was the fourth of seven children. She was born in Montevallo, Alabama on July 14, 1932, to Isloe and Beecher Faust. Her childhood began in Edgewater, a coal mining community near Birmingham, Alabama. Her Daddy worked as an electrician in the coal mines. In 1942, he decided he could create a better life for his family and made the decision to move them to South Alabama.
They eventually settled in Fairhope, a quaint community on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. It was here that Doris began a lifetime of friendships and wonderful times, it was here that she lived her life story.
Following high school, Doris began working as a bookkeeper for Gaston Ford in downtown Fairhope. It was a career that spanned on and off for over 25 years.
Doris loved to dance. In her twenties, she was invited to a birthday celebration at The Riverside in Silverhill. It was there that she caught the attention of a tall handsome sailor from Nebraska. He asked her to dance, they fell in love and married in 1954.
Doris and Bill began their married life at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope and cherished bringing up their children in the Lutheran faith. Doris was widowed in 2007 after 53 years of marriage. In her grief, she felt comfort from her strong faith and felt much love and support from her church family. In all circumstances her faith never wavered and her love for family and friends was unconditional.
Doris and Bill made their family home on Morphy Avenue. It rested on five acres in a sweet little clay city brick home that Bill built for her and their children, Kelly, and Leslie.
She was a wonderful cook and loved making special meals for family and friends. She was known for her Southern cooking, especially her fried chicken and meatloaf. Everyone loved her baking. Her specialties were her world-famous Gran’s Chocolate Chips and Sand Tarts.
Not only her cooking but her love of people and hospitality were the best parts of her.
Doris is survived by her son, William John ‘Kelly’ Callies III and his wife, Kali, her daughter, Leslie Callies Hollis and her husband, Micheal.
Gran loved her grandchildren. She will be missed by her grandson, Major Callies Hollis and his wife Katie, and her granddaughter, Jessica Callies Powell and her husband Matthew along with Jessica’s mother Crystal Dent Callies.
Doris was fortunate to be able to enjoy all of her great grandchildren, Max, Evelyn and Hank Hollis and Bryant and Brodie Powell.
She was so grateful to remain close to her devoted nieces, Roz Callies Phillips, Rebecca Faust Moore and Daphne Faust Fields and Cathy Faust Labonowski and Pam Faust McMurray. She leaves behind her remaining siblings, Peggy Sagan and Joe Faust, along with many nieces and nephews.
She loved her friend, hairdresser and confidant, Theresa Marshall Davis. Doris appreciated Mitch White, he cared for her yard and fields for many years. Terry Miles, a dear friend from church always came to her rescue with a repair or to help her with technical difficulties. She always loved laughing long distance with her Nebraska friend, Merna.
Doris cherished her church family and many friends from high school and the ladies in her swimming group.
And to the wonderful staff at The Brennity, you treated our Mama as if she were yours. We will always appreciate you.
Mama was greeted by Jesus at the gates of heaven. We are certain that one of first questions she asked Jesus was if He had ever heard of a town called Edgewater.
After a lengthy conversation with Jesus, He directed her attention towards a tall handsome man who had been patiently waiting and leaning against an old pickup truck. It was Bill.
When Bill told Doris that she was late, they both laughed and held each other. They took off in that old truck headed down heaven’s road. In heaven there is endless time, perfect for Mama.
John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Nothing you love is lost. Not really. Things, people—they always go away, sooner or later. You can’t hold them, any more than you can hold moonlight. But if they’ve touched you, if they’re inside you, then they’re still yours. The only things you ever really have are the ones you hold inside your heart. ~Bruce Coville
In lieu of flowers, a memorial that can be made be made in Memory of Doris Faust Callies
200 South Section Street
Fairhope, Al 36532
Doris’ church family has been an example of living your faith as a Christian.
c/o UAB Gift Records
AB 1230, 1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0112
in Memory of Doris F. Callies
or give online: https://go.uab.edu/henryhollis
A memorial may be made to 100 Oslo Circle, Birmingham, AL 35211
This foundation has been significant for Hank as they provide therapy, resources, and assistance for children and adults with disabilities in the Birmingham community.
Gran prayed and hoped for her great grandson, Hank, every day of her life.
Funeral services were held at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 200 South Section Street Fairhope, Alabama on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 11:00. The family received friends at 10:00 until the service began. Following the service, Doris will be interred with her husband, Bill at The Colony Cemetery in Fairhope, Alabama
