Callie P. Byrd was born on October 12, 1924 in Schlater, Mississippi to the late Ernest Sr. and Katie Powell. Callie was the fifth child of six, born five minutes before her twin, Carrie. The Powell children were raised in a loving Christian home. At an early age, Callie joined the Samuel Chapel Methodist Church in Itta Bena, Mississippi, where she confessed Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.

In 1942, Ernest & Katie's desire for a better life for themselves and their children, compelled them to send the twins north to St. Louis, Missouri. Callie and Carrie lived with their cousin Katie Mae.

In 1945, after graduating from St. Louis' Booker T. Washington Technical School, Callie and Carrie moved to Washington, DC, joining their older sisters, Katie and Beatrice. It was in Washington that Callie landed a job at High's Ice Cream.

It was in this very ice cream shop, that a handsome man in a uniform, named Larry Arkon Byrd, whispered sweet somethings into Callie's ears…They courted for two years and were united in holy matrimony March 15, 1952.

In 1954, Callie relocated to France, as her husband was transferred overseas.

A year later, the blessings of a son, Lawrence Rodney, filled their hearts with joy! Callie and Larry lived in France for four years and returned to the states in 1959. A year later, the family moved back to France when Larry Arkon was reassigned as the Chief Warrant Officer, managing the cafeterias on the army base.

In 1967, the family returned to the states as Larry was reassigned to Fort Dix Army base. Callie and Larry bought a home in Willingboro, New Jersey.

A year later he was shipped out to Vietnam. During the two years of her husband's deployment, Callie secured a job with the Civil Service as a Keypunch Operator and also provided loving care for her nephew Reginald Allen for a time.

After twenty plus years of exemplary service, Callie retired in 1988.

During their 32 years in Willingboro, Callie and Larry joined Parkway Baptist Church, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Joseph and Sis. Joel Yundt .

Callie and Larry were faithful members. Callie serving as an usher, deaconess, and food pantry volunteer. Larry served as deacon and choir member.

After retirement, Callie became active in the Volkssport walking club, participating in many walking events on the east coast.

Callie and Larry's home in Willingboro was a wonderful place of many family gatherings, where Pop cooked like he was still providing mass quantities for the troops…but all the DC, Virginia, Maryland family knew, fine dining and large portions were always on the docket during their visits.

1994 and 1996 brought an overwhelming joy to Callie and Larry, as they became grandparents to Rebecca Marcella and Joshua Lawrence. It didn't take long for Callie and Larry to relocate to Boston, Massachusetts to be closer to their adult children and grand babies!

Callie and Larry became members of Twelfth Baptist Church in 1999, under the pastorship of the late Rev. Dr. Michael E. Haynes. During the years that followed, Callie and Larry served under Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald.

Callie loved the Lord, her family and her church. She was a praying woman! She loved Tuesday School of the Bible and Friday nights Hour of Power Prayer meetings!

The blessings of having a church home and watching their grandchildren grow, were immeasurable…attending soccer games; Project Step music events; Red Sox games, graduations and Florida road trips together…made their relocation the bonus of a lifetime.

Although Callie and her twin were separated by many miles, that never stopped them from chatting on the phone every day… and planning trips!

Every year Callie looked forward to the Osborne-Murrell Family Reunions. Callie always had her bags packed and ready to gather in fellowships with kinfolk from near and far!

Travels took Callie and Carrie to Europe as they celebrated their 75th birthday enjoying London and Paris!

She loved eating good food,( we have Pop Byrd to thank for that); crazy about ice cream; shopping and browsing; getting her hair done; and walking .25 miles five days a week with her dear friend, Gwen Stewart.

On December 21,2013, Callie's beloved husband of 61 years transitioned to be with the Lord. Her devotion and undying love for Larry Arkon was the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 woman… virtuous and of noble character!

Callie was forever thankful for her beloved TBC Swingers and was an active participant until the pandemic. Tickled pink in 2021, when Pastor Willie was installed as the new pastor of Twelfth Baptist Church,… Callie was so proud and would boast to anyone… "that young man is my pastor and he can preach!"

When Callie experienced the onset of dementia and Alzheimers, she was determined not to let it get her down. She continued living her life to the fullest, which included family gatherings and travel …making her last flight to Atlanta in November 2024, at 100 years of age, to celebrate with Rebecca and John, the baby shower for Callie's soon to arrive great grandson Waylon John Lawrence!

Callie fought the good fight! Early Monday morning, on April 21, 2025 Callie transitioned and is now basking in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Callie is survived by her devoted son and daughter-in-love, Lawrence Rodney and Sharon; Grandchildren Rebecca Byrd-Smith (John); Joshua (Asya); Great grandson Waylon John Lawrence Smith; beloved nephew and nieces: Reginald Allen(Greg), Karen Thomas (Michael), Doris Farley(Dewitt),Linda Barber, Derrick Barber, Rayfield Barber Jr.,(Patricia), Ernestine Johnson, William R. "Bakus" Powell, Edward E. Powell, Tonerial "Tony" Powell; her dear friend Gwen Stewart and hosts of extended family and friends; and Her Village of Families- Robinson -McNight- Graves ; Burtons, McCollum-Pritchard; Clarks; Lindsays, Waters-Scott, Green-Hill, Garvin's, Pai, Liu; TBC, Jubilee, & the Roosevelt.