Rev. D.L Callender

Rev. D. L. Callender, 89, died February 13, 2009 , at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center after a short illness. Rev. Callender was born in Lincoln County, MS and lived most of his life in McComb, MS. He lived the last three years of his life in the Natchitoches Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Natchitoches, LA. Rev. Callender was a World War II Veteran serving as a Crew Chief in the Army Air Corps. He served in England working on P-47 Thunderbolts that flew over occupied Europe. He worked a few years for the ICC Railroad before being called into the ministry in 1952. He served as a full-time pastor from 1953 until his retirement in 2005, where he had been interim pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Magnolia, MS. Although he lived for many years in Louisiana, he was a native of McComb, Mississippi and always longed to return to that area. He pastored 12 Baptist Churches in Louisiana and Mississippi. Reverend Callender was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Mavis Smith Callender, his parents Ira and Amy Callender, three brothers, A. C., James, and Ailyus E. Callender; and one sister, Lou Mae Britt. He is survived by one son, Thomas Ray Callender and wife Celeste of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, two daughters, Linda Cummings and husband Charlie of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Peggy Cedars and husband Bobby of Natchitoches, Louisiana; four grandchildren; Todd Callender of New Orleans, Louisiana, Bert Callender and wife Karen of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Jennifer Milner and husband Derick of Brandon, Mississippi, and Sam Wells of Clinton, Mississippi. Great grandchildren include: Sarah, Emily and Caleb Callender of Denham Springs, LA; and Lily Mavis Milner of Brandon, MS. Reverend Callender was a dedicated husband, loving father, a great patriot, and beloved pastor, and friend. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Services will be held at Catchings Funeral Home, McComb, MS on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM, with Reverend Thomas Rush officiating followed by the burial in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Brookhaven, MS. Friends and relatives may visit at the Catchings Funeral Home at 506 Maryland Avenue, McComb, MS, from 3:00 until 6:00 PM on Monday February 16, 2009, Reverend Callender’s family would like to extend a special thanks to Natchitoches Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Dr. Mary Long, and Brenda Scott. Pallbearers will be Bert Callender, Todd Callender, Kirk Haskins, Derick Milner, Kenneth Smith and Sam Wells.