From the Bible’s New Testament it is remembered that among Jesus’ most ardent followers were Mary and Martha. Mary bathed His tired and dusty feet with perfume of great price, and wiped His feet with her hair. Martha labored in the kitchen, to be sure Jesus and His disciples were well fed.
In our modern Chattanooga life at the First Presbyterian Church – and in many other organizations – Mrs. David (Maddin Lupton) McCallie emulated both Mary and Martha.
She went to her eternal rest Saturday.
Maddin McCallie was a member of two very extended and very valuable Chattanooga families. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Allen and Louise Bess Lupton, and was the loving husband of Dr. David McCallie. Many Luptons have honored us all with their enterprise and philanthropy, and many McCallies have been prominent for the McCallie School, medical care and extended philanthropies from the early days of our community.
Mrs. McCallie followed in their constructive footsteps in countless ways.
Members of First Presbyterian Church will recall that (as storied Washington hostess Perle Mesta was known as Washington’s “Hostess with the mostest on the ball”) Maddin McCallie was the “Hostess with the mostest on the ball” at the First Presbyterian Church.
No one can count, or even estimate, how many Wednesday night prayer meeting dinners, Sunday evening suppers, church parties and picnics, wedding receptions, retirement events, and visiting missionaries Mrs. McCallie graciously served. She presided with charm, delicacy and graceful hospitality – in the spirit of the Bible’s Martha and Mary.
She also was a Sunday School teacher for children and a president of the Women in the Church. It was most appropriate when she was honored as the church’s “Woman of the Year,” an expression of appreciation for many years of service.
But tireless Mrs. McCallie also served as president of the Junior League, and a leader in Allied Arts, the Opportunity Home for Girls, the Riverview Garden Club, the Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society Auxiliary, the Chattanooga Chapter of the American Heart Association, the Colonial Dames and many other services and activities.
She was justly recognized by the Downtown Kiwanis Club as a recipient of its Distinguished Service Award.
Mrs. McCallie loved Chattanooga and our people. And she will be long remembered with much love and admiration by many who were blessed by her services in so many ways.