Virginia Hartfield Brant Callaway

Virginia “Ginnie” Hartfield Brant Callaway, 80, passed away June 21, 2019. She was born on April 11, 1939 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania to the late Jane Elizabeth Hartfiled Brant Connell and Irvin Longaker Brant, Sr. and was the oldest of their eight children. For most of her childhood the family lived in Beverly, New Jersey. It was while living there that Ginnie survived polio. The family moved to Newport News, VA in 1956. On June 15, 1957 Ginnie would marry the love of her life, Mr. Russell Dawson Callaway, Jr. Throughout their lives together they lived in several different places throughout Virginia including Richmond and Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore. Russell passed away in 1989. Six years after his passing, Ginnie moved to Providence Forge to reside with her son, Rusty, and assist him in managing his business, Callaway’s Garage & Towing. Her creativity extended in many different ways. She could sew beautifully, making most of her daughter’s clothes while growing up. She made everything from prom dresses and wedding dresses to costumes for several nieces and nephews which, due to her wonderful craftsmanship, were handed down for years. After raising her children, Ginnie worked as a bookkeeper in a contractor’s office, managed a three star restaurant, and enjoyed baking delicious desserts. Her baked goods were featured at A.J’s restaurant where patrons were known to make sure they were standing in line when her treats were freshly delivered. In recent years, Ginnie shared her talents serving Rusty’s customers with many, many different kinds of cookies and cakes. She was especially well-known for her beautifully constructed and scrumptious wedding cakes, most of which were carrot cake. Ginnie was a kind and generous person, loved by everyone whose lives she touched, many of whom just referred to her as “Mom”. She is survived by her children, Joan “Joanie” Hartfield Callaway Irwin and Russell “Rusty” Callaway, III; siblings, Irvin “Butchie” Brant, Jr. (Sandra), Susan “Susie” Henley, Helen Baxter (Don), James “Jimmie” Brant (Pam), Frank “Frankie” Brant, Grant “Skipper” Connell, III (Nina), and Barbara “Barbie” Connell Reichert Lewis (Raymond); and 16 nieces and nephews. Her son, Rusty was the light of her life and her main caregiver over the last several years. She could not have asked for more. Her beautiful spirit showed through him and the devoted way in which he cared for her. A celebration of her life will be held 2 PM, Thursday, June 27th at Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM, just prior to the service. Her final resting place will be with her husband in the Belle Haven Cemetery on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and will take place at a later date.

Virginia Hartfield Brant Callaway

April 11, 1939 - June 21, 2019