Joan Corlisse Charity-Calhoun was born on March 4, 1933, in Charles City, Virginia, the youngest of eight beloved children born to the late Zachariah and Susie Mabel Miles-Charity. She accepted Christ at an early age at Saint John’s Baptist Church and later became a faithful member of Gilfield Baptist Church.
Raised in the close-knit community of Charles City, Joan was given the opportunity as a young girl to move to Jersey City, New Jersey, to live with relatives. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Jersey City in 1952 and began her professional journey with Western Electric in 1953.
That same year, Joan met the love of her life, Eugene Francis Calhoun, through mutual friends and family. The couple were united in marriage in a small, intimate ceremony in New York City in 1954. Together, they were blessed with four beautiful children, Deborah, Corlisse, Eugene, and Marcus. The Calhoun family made New Jersey home for 25 joyful years.
Following the untimely passing of her beloved husband, Joan returned to her roots in Charles City, Virginia. She leaned on her deep faith to guide her as she lovingly raised her children, instilling in them the importance of family, hard work, and unwavering faith.
Joan served as a paraprofessional in the Charles City Public School system, where she worked alongside dedicated educators for 10 years. She brought patience, kindness, and warmth to every classroom she touched.
In retirement, Joan enjoyed life’s simple pleasures—gardening, reading, traveling, and watching her favorite TV shows. A natural nurturer, she was known for her sharp wit, sound advice, and the ability to lift your spirits with a single phone call. Joan gave freely, lived simply, and always stayed true to herself. On June 20, 2025, Joan peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Atlanta, Georgia. Surrounded by her loving family, she transitioned with grace and dignity.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her husband, Eugene Calhoun Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her four children, Deborah Lynn Calhoun, Corlisse Francis Calhoun El-Fakhri, Eugene William Calhoun, and Marcus David Calhoun Sr.; her daughter-in-love, Monica C Calhoun; her five adored grandchildren, Dionna (Germal) Dunbar-Daniel, Sakinah C El-Fakhri, Marcus David Calhoun Jr., Lauren K Henderson, and Jordan Francis Calhoun; two great-grandchildren, Demi and Ava Joan Daniel; her beloved sister, Amanda Charity Jefferson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will forever carry her memory in their hearts.
