John C. Calhoun, Sr.

John C. Calhoun, Sr., 96, passed away peacefully at his home in Smithville, surrounded by his loving family, Monday morning, November 15, 2021.  John was born the 10th of 14 children to Bertha Estelle Green Calhoun and George Edwin Calhoun, Sr., in Creedmoor, Texas.  On September 18, 1943, John married the love of his life, Annie Marie Meredith, at the Hornsby Bend Church.  Annie and John raised six children, John Jr., Willie, Charles, Raymond, Marcus, and Barbara Ann.  John worked hard his whole life; he started out as a sharecropper, then worked maintenance at Travis State School during the day and as a mechanic by night, he later took a job with Bill Milburn Homes as a framer, then went onto start his own framing business, where he contracted with Padgett Construction.  John and his son, Charles, began Calhoun Custom Homes together and built numerous homes as well as built and operated Twin Creek Grocery    (convenient store). After retiring, he moved to Smithville, where he loved to garden, and was always helping people with small engine repair and minor home repairs.

John is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Annie Marie; both his parents; three sons, Shorty, Willie, and Charles; his daughter, Barbara Ellis; two grandchildren, Marty Calhoun and Leeanna Grange; 12 siblings, Verna Morgan, Maggie Lambert, Henry Calhoun, J.C. Calhoun, Roy Calhoun, Ray Calhoun, George Edwin Calhoun, Martha Scheumack, Oramae Defebrio, Dan Calhoun, Clarence Calhoun, and Verdie Pringle.

He is survived by his two sons, Raymond Calhoun of Buchanan Dam and Marcus Calhoun of Manor; his sister, Marjorie Benner of Georgetown; 18 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 23 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.  He was an absolute light to all those that he met and will be deeply missed.

Family and Friends will gather for Visitation at Elgin Funeral Home, Friday, November 19th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  A Celebration of John’s Life will be conducted graveside at Jones Cemetery, Saturday, November 20th at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Mylon Avery presiding.