Callie Elizabeth Avirett

On Sunday 30 November, the world lost Callie Elizabeth Bohannon Avirett, a woman who never met a stranger, could talk the hind leg off a mule, and who showed the world love through amazing food -- best fried chicken in north GA, incredible fried okra, fried crookneck squash, and actually fried (nearly every) veg generally, and incredible biscuits - an ability she passed down to her daughter and grandkids.

Callie was born on June 2, 1939 on Little Sand Mountain near Armuchee, Georgia to Lillian Green and Garnett Edward Bohannon. After the family moved to the Big City (Rome, GA) she had to quit school in 7th grade to help her mama with the family, but dreamt of seeing the world as a stewardess. Throughout her life, she worked many jobs, had her own catering business, and never tired of telling stories about her growing-up times (apparently Granny and Paw Paw were raising their 6 kids as assassins, based on the hair-curling tales).

Despite her varied work career, it was abundantly clear job #1 was raising her only child Lori, and keep her strictly in line - and protecting her like a mama-wolf. Once she’d succeeded at that job, she rejoiced daily in her final incarnation: beloved Nana to her two grandchildren, Mathilda and Garnett Henry, who actually hung the moon for her.

She was also 10-feet tall and bulletproof. Seeing as how the words "bullheaded", "fiery-tempered", and stubborn fell FAR short of the mark, Callie continued walking (eeventually with support) despite many falls and breaks, survived late-age cancer, a wicked subdural hematoma (while she had covid even), and consequently relearned to walk.

Callie was born a Bohannon, but became part of the Avirett clan when she married Abner at the ripe old age of 16. She was fiercely loyal to family, loved her brothers and sisters (Glenda the baby sister is now last person standing), their spouses and families - nieces (Angela, Cristie, Ruthiey, and more), and nephews (David Winston, Terry, Benny, Phillip, Hal, Jeff and more) and their spouses, and innumerable grand-nieces and nephews (Briana and more) more than they’ll ever realize. She loved and guided Lori (and wished she had about 5 more to match her growing up family), then was absolutely over the moon as Nana to Mathilda and Henry. They were perfection itself, and she loved and supported them the best any grandparent ever has their super-progeny - and she was intensely proud of both of them.

She missed her husband, Abner, the last 10 years, and has reunited with him (he's likely asking her to maybe talk a little less right now) and all her family members who went on before her - Garnett Edward (Bo), Rosa Louise, Billy Mance, and Alfred Ross. And she loved her baby sister, Glenda Sue, who is still flourishing. The rest of us still living miss her with every fiber of our beings. But we all know she will live on within us, and will hold on to all the memories. She's being buried in Rome, GA on Thursday afternoon, December 4, 2025 after a short visitation for those who wish to see her once more (11:45 am at Salmon Funeral Home) on Thursday, December 4, 2025 with a simple graveside service following at Oaknoll Cemetery at 1:00 PM.

 In lieu of flowers, please donate to Meals on Wheels to celebrate Callie’s desire to feed everyone she met, or Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute’s Goizueta ALZ Research Fund to help eradicate the brain disease she suffered from. 

Her daughter, son-in-law Ken Mackenzie, and grandkids Mathilda Simone and Garnett Henry Thomas Avirett-Mackenzie will be hosting a celebratory wake next week to recognize the undiluted love and joy that she represented.

Salmon Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve and care for the family of Callie Elizabeth Bohannon Avirett.