The Calhoun, Jr.

Asheville, NC: The Reverend Dr. E. Clayton Calhoun, Jr., age 97, passed away on Thursday, December 31, 2009, at Givens Estates in Asheville, following a period of declining health. Born in Douglas, Ga, he spent his early life in northern Florida. He was the son of the late Rev. Eugene Clayton Calhoun and Minerva Augusta Barnes Calhoun. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Frankie Salina Morgan Calhoun who passed away in 2006; a son, Eugene Clayton Calhoun, III; a sister, Mary C. Calhoun; and a brother, Ashley Barnes Calhoun. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida Southern College, where he was student body president and a member of the football team. His seminary degree was from Perkins School of Theology/Southern Methodist University, and he pursued further graduate studies at the University of California at Berkley, and Boston University. He also received honorary doctorates from Florida Southern College and Paine College. After being ordained to the ministry of the United Methodist Church he served pastorates in North Carolina, Texas, and Florida before being called to the mission field. He and his family served as missionaries to China both before and after World War II. After returning from China, he served several pastorates throughout Florida. In 1956 he became president of Paine College in Augusta, GA, and served there until 1970. He then became director of the Black College Fund of the United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN, a position he held until his retirement in 1974. Following retirement, he and his wife moved to Clyde, NC, where they founded the Smoky Mountain Center for Independent Studies, a retreat center for small college and church groups. During this period they were very active in First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, and he was greatly involved in the Kiwanis Club. In 1999 Dr. and Mrs. Calhoun became residents of Givens Estates in Asheville, NC. In 2009 Dr. Calhoun was recognized as being one of the oldest members of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and was honored for his 75 years of service. Survivors include two sons, Frank M. Calhoun, of Bryson City, NC, and the Reverend Ashley M. Calhoun and his wife, Paula T. Calhoun, of Waynesville, NC; one sister, Rabun C. Chappell, of Jacksonville, FL; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A service celebrating Dr. Calhoun's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 23, in Pulliam Chapel at Givens Estates in Asheville with the Rev. Joe Fulk, Dr. Julius Scott, Bishop Bevel Jones, and Bishop Woodie White officiating. Interment will be at a later date in the family plot in Perry, Fl. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the E. Clayton and Frankie M. Calhoun Scholarship Fund at Paine College, 1235 15th St., Augusta, GA 30901. Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Waynesville is in charge of arrangements.

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