Jeanette Callaway Obituary

Jeanette Ann Woodruff Callaway, age 78, of Conway, Arkansas, passed away on July 6, 2025. She was born in Conway, on Nov. 5, 1946, to Raymond and Ruth Woodruff.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ruth, and her granddaughter, Victoria Callaway.

She is survived by her husband, Willis Callaway of 58 years; her children, Kim Callaway Gentry,and Bart Callaway (RaeLynn); and her grandchildren, Will Callaway (Kaley), Brett Callaway (Shelby), Jordan Gentry, Brady Callaway and Emily Gentry.

Ann grew up in Conway as an only child, but she always enjoyed spending time with her favorite Woodruff cousins who visited every summer. After graduating from Conway High School in 1964, she attended Central Baptist College where she sang in the ladies trio. She graduated from Baptist School of Nursing in Little Rock in 1968 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Central Arkansas in 1987.

Ann and Willis were married April 7, 1967, at Central Baptist Church in Conway. They moved from Little Rock to Conway and lived in that same house since 1975. She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Conway for 50 years and volunteered in the children's ministry as a piano player, nursery worker, Sunbeams teacher and vacation Bible school teacher. She worked in the Little Rock School district as a school nurse for many years, at elementary schools including Garland, Franklin, Romine, Woodruff and Stephens.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, singing, playing the piano, traveling, reading, quilting, playing board games, attending Woodruff family reunions at Lake DeGray and having all the kids and grandkids together at her house for Sunday dinner.

She never missed a single band concert, choir concert or sporting event that her grandchildren participated in. She loved spending time with them, picking them up from school and going to the zoo, the fair, Toad Suck Daze and other fun, educational outings.

Her family is grateful to Arkansas Hospice, the staff at Magnolia Landing in Greenbrier, and the staff at Mira at Maumelle for caring for her as her health declined.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 11, 2025, at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for the Woodruff Family endowed scholarship at Central Baptist College, 1501 College Ave., Conway, Arkansas, 72032.