Carrie Levinia ‘Viney’ Yuille Callahan – Monessen

Carrie Levinia “Viney” Yuille Callahan, 91, of Monessen, departed this life on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Born on March 18, 1928, she began her life of community service in Naruna, Va., where she was the sixth of eight children born to the late Richard and Alice Lawson Yuille. Armed with the family values of hard work and service, Carrie brought her family to Monessen in 1957, where she quickly became a valued member of the community. Carrie was a lifelong activist for education and equality. In the late 1960s, as a middle-aged mother, with three school-aged children at home, she courageously began to pursue a bachelor’s degree while working as a Head Start Teacher’s Aide for the WCCEO. At the age of 48, Carrie fulfilled her dream and received a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh, becoming the first in her generation to acquire a college education. She became a teacher and group supervisor for Diversified Human Services at Mon Valley Child Care in Monessen.  After teaching for 15 years, she moved on to become a case manager for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging. Carrie exemplified the spirit of volunteerism and community service, holding numerous offices and board memberships, including decades of service to the NAACP, Mon Valley Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America Inc. (OIC), the Monessen Organization for Racial Equality (M.O.R.E.), the Monessen Tobacco Free Coalition, the Washington Township Area Senior Citizens, the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association Inc. and many others. She received a Certificate of Merit for Dedicated Services from the NAACP in 1994 and was a Silver Lifetime member of the Monongahela Valley NAACP. Carrie, a woman of great faith, who made invaluable contributions to the Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Monessen where she served and worshipped for more than six decades. She held many positions including trustee, Sunday school teacher, usher and gospel chorus member. During her productive lifetime, Carrie demonstrated in countless ways her dedication to the welfare of others and earned the respect, love and affection of people from all walks of life and ages. She was always eager to offer a word of encouragement, a prayer, or a life-sustaining hug. Even in her 80s, she was a help to others, preparing meals for the sick and providing transportation for the elderly. Carrie’s commitment to service spoke volumes, as she believed “May the work I’ve done speak for me.” Carrie was preceded in death by her daughter, Joyce Petway. She is survived by four daughters, Jacqueline (Richard), Theresa (Derek), Phyllis and Vanetta. She was the loving grandmother of 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was “Aunt Viney” to her many nieces and nephews, and a surrogate mom to her “adopted” children. Visitation services will be held at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 230 Reed Ave., Monessen, PA 15062, Bishop Karl Jackson, Pastor, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2019, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Final celebration has been gently placed in the hands of HOUSE OF JACKSON MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 546 Thompson Ave., Donora, Karl Jackson, Funeral Director, 724-379-5420.