Joe Callaway

A funeral service will be held for Joe D. Callaway (Papa Joe) at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Harvest Fellowship, Artesia, NM, immediately followed by a burial at Woodbine Cemetery.

Joe passed away surrounded by the love of his family on November 16, 2025, in Artesia, New Mexico. He was born on July 20, 1947, to Jack and Pluma Callaway in Indio, California. Joe married Frances B. Callaway on September 11, 1988.

In Papa Joe’s later years, he enjoyed traveling to different states and vacationing with his wife, Frances. Papa Joe especially cherished those trips with her. Papa Joe also loved spending time in the mountains with family and friends, where they spent many weekends enjoying nature and each other’s company. His love ran deep for the Artesia Bulldogs, but he cheered just as loudly for the Dallas Cowboys. Papa Joe gave each of us a nickname, and it’s something we’ll never forget. Papa Joe ended his career with pride, working side by side with his son Mikey at KC Sales.

Joe is preceded by his parents, Jack and Pluma Callaway, his brothers and sisters, including Bill Callaway (Doris), Jerry Callaway (Janey), Jim Callaway, Evelyn Swann (Bill), Shirley Kidder, and Glenda Barrow. Son-in-Law’s Kelly Sanders and Jeff Stroble. Daughters Frances Marie Romero, Mary Ann Batie. Grandson Bryan Hutson Malone.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Francis Callaway; Mark Malone (Elena), Wendell Malone (Diane), Lisa Callaway Sanders, Cassie Batie-Romero (Ron), Debi Napierski (John), Mike Callaway (Shawna). Brothers and Sisters include Betty(Mike) Bush, Sue Vansickle, Danny Callaway, and Brenda Callaway.

Grandchildren: Jenny Valencia (Mark), Becky Hutson (JP), and Trinidad Malone (Lala). Katlyn Malone, Amanda Malone, Travis Callaway (Breanne), Kevin James, and Ryan Sanders. Ryan, Jacob, and Kalob. Kyle Callaway, Tyler Stroble, Mitchel Napierski, Antony Hall, and Austin Callaway, Tamara and Coby Robbins, Dion and Lance Ochoa.

Numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.

The family would like to add a special thank you to San Pedro Nursing Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Gentiva Hospice.