Martha Hadley Callaway

Martha Hadley Callaway died June 24, 2024 in Maryville. She was born March 19, 1934 in Durham, North Carolina, the daughter of George and Emily Hadley. “Marty” grew up in Greenville, North Carolina and graduated from Greenville High School, where she was a cheerleader and editor of the school newspaper. She received her BA degree in English from Duke University in 1956. While working at Duke Hospital after graduation, she met a surgical resident from Maryville named Henry “Tubby” Callaway, and they married in 1957. After Henry finished his residency in 1960, they moved to Maryville, where he joined the medical practice of Callaway & Callaway started by his father Henry, Sr. and uncle Lea. 

In 1966, Marty and Henry moved their family to the house on Court Street where Marty lived for the next fifty-seven years until she went to assisted living at Shannondale last year. Marty and Henry raised four rambunctious boys in a house full of pets (frequently escaped from their cages), model rockets, and camping equipment. She often commented that she was an only child and never expected to raise four boys. Marty was a good sport and became an avid outdoorswoman. She enjoyed hiking, scuba diving, and skiing with her family, although she never quite took to her husband’s passion for fishing. Marty played doubles tennis into her mid- eighties and enthusiastically photographed wildflowers on her many hikes in the Smokies.

Marty loved her adopted home of Maryville and Blount County. She served as president of the Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society,  and as a member of the Tennessee State Historical Commission. She chaired the Knoxville Junior League’s “art in the schools” program for several years. Marty was a member of the Leadership Blount County class in 1996. She worshipped at New Providence Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, served as both an elder and, deacon there, and formed lifetime friendships with the members of her Geneva Fellowship group. 

Marty kept in touch with her eastern North Carolina roots and remained close with her Moye and Hadley relatives there. Close to home, Henry and she spent many happy days at the Callaway family cabin at Mountain Homes in Walland. When the time came, Marty was a devoted caregiver to both her own mother and her mother-in-law, Birdie Callaway. 

After the deaths of their respective spouses, Marty and family friend Dr. Ted Flickinger enjoyed a companionship which enriched her later years. The Callaway family is grateful to Dr. Flickinger and his family for including Marty in their lives. The family is also very grateful to family friends Jane Alexander Carl, Patti Carpenter, and Elaine Armfield for caring for Marty over the last several years. The family also thanks the staff at Shannondale for taking care of Marty during her stay there. 

Marty is predeceased by her husband Henry and her parents. She is survived by her four “boys” (now ages 55-65): Henry (Emily) Callaway of Mobile, Dr. Thomas Callaway of Atlanta, Dr. Hadley (Cameron) Callaway of Raleigh, and Ed (Melissa) Callaway of Nashville. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Miller (Brittany) Callaway of Mobile; Harrison (Alexandra Norton) Callaway of New York City; Patton (Ben) Callaway LaRoque of Boston; Isabel Callaway of San Francisco; Darden (Elliot) Cave of Richmond; Sherwood Callaway of New York City; Hadley Callaway of New York City; Caleb Callaway of Minneapolis; and Elizabeth Callaway of Washington, D.C. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Hunter and Gaines Callaway and Penn and Eva Cave.

A memorial service celebrating Marty’s life will be held on July 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at New Providence Presbyterian Church, 703 W. Broadway, Maryville, Tennessee. Visitation will follow the service in the church’s Westminister Hall. There will be a private interment at Grandview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to New Providence Presbyterian Church, Blount County Historic Trust or Friends of the Smokies.