Jonell Brown Callaway, born September 12, 1928 in DeSoto parish, Louisiana to Jasper Jefferson and Lillian Demetrius (Burgess) Brown, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her assisted living residence in Austin, Texas on the evening of Saturday November 8th, 2025. She was 97. She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, James Daniel (Jimmie) Callaway of LaPorte and previously of Houston, as well as her sons Mark Steven and James Richard (Dick) and grandson Joshua Callaway, and by all six of her siblings, Demetrius (DeeDee), Jasper, Sarah Elizabeth (Betty), Robert, Catherine, and Harvey. She is survived by her daughters Kathleen Callaway of Bordeaux, France (Robert Strandh) and Susan Callaway of Austin, Texas (Vicki Dennis), as well as seven grandchildren: Susan’s children Matthew (Matt) and Andrew (AJ) Dennis, and Dick’s children Amanda, Lauren, Jacob (Jake), Zachary (Zach), and Meagan. Also four great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Jonell was many things to many people, but first and foremost a homemaker. She raised four children to be successful and independent adults, as well as caring for foster children in Harris County. When doctors told her husband his heart was only going to last a few years, she took over managing his care and extended his life another twenty. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter who taught many others her skills; the Crafty Ladies of LaPorte will remember her, but there is also a group of indigenous women in Nicaragua where she helped a mission group teaching women how to use the donated sewing machines to increase their income and independence. She was also very active outside the home, in her local Baptist church, the Rebekah Lodge, the LaPorte Senior Citizens Center, and so forth. She worked for many years as a self taught dental and orthodontic assistant. After her husband passed away, she became an adventuresome traveler, organizing tour groups so she could travel for free.
An online memorial will be organized in the near future. Those wishing to contribute may send gifts in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or any charity of your choice.