Reverend Art “Hobie” Calloway

Reverend Alvah Arthur Calloway, 91, of Silsbee, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 29, 2024.  He was born July 18, 1933, in Palestine (Elmtown), Texas, to Ethel Estelle Conoway and Edward Earle Callaway.

Art was an affectionate and loving man who was loved dearly by all who knew him. His family members affectionately called him “Hobie,” as that was the nickname his father gave him. He was called Art by his churches and co-workers and Papa by the grandkids.

Art’s Christian ministry began at a young age and continued throughout his life. He holds the distinction of being the youngest Assembly of God minister, ordained at 16 and serving faithfully until his passing.

As a young adult, he attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, where he met the love of his life, Alice Drake. After marriage, they dedicated 35 years to evangelistic and pastoral ministries from Arkansas to Texas. Their Godly calling was to revive, rebuild, and save struggling churches.

While Art’s passion was God’s ministry, he often worked to support the people and churches he and Alice assisted and pastored. A carpenter and builder by trade, Art was a man of many talents. During his career, he built houses and commercial buildings, owned a pest control business, cut, hauled, and sold firewood in the winter, and worked intermittently for Echo Maintenance from the late 1980s until 2016. He viewed this work as an extension of his ministry, daily ministering to, advising, and praying with his co-workers. The workplace was a better place with his presence. Art’s daily walk with the Lord was a testament to his dedication to God and desire to lead others to Christ. Art impacted countless individuals through his various occupations.

Art’s encouraging, kind, and Godly words left a positive impact everywhere. He was always available to listen, comfort, pray for, and uplift others. People were naturally drawn to him for encouragement, and he always had the right words from God for them. His encouragement and guidance will be missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his children, Fran Smith and her husband, Sonny, of Mauriceville, and Ken Calloway and his wife, Kathy, of Silsbee; grandchildren, Daniel Houghton and his wife, Kelli, of Orange; Chris Houghton and his wife, Trina, of Warren; Justin Calloway and his wife, Megan, of Lumberton; and Kody Calloway of Houston; great-grandchildren, Emily Houghton, Mason Houghton, Kaitlyn Houghton, Caleb Houghton, Ethan Calloway, and Avery Calloway.  He is preceded in death by His wife, Alice Louise Calloway; parents, Ethel and Edward Callaway; and brothers, Dalton Callaway, Lonnie Callaway, Marshall Callaway, Jessie Callaway, Hunter Callaway, and Hermon Callaway.

The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff of The Haven Assisted Living and Compassion Hospice for their support and exceptional care during this difficult time.

A gathering of Art’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  His interment will follow at R.S. Farmer Memorial Cemetery, Silsbee.