Obituary

Alberta M. Callahan, nee Phillips was born to the union of Lee Virgil and Annabell Phillips on August 29, 1925, in Columbus, Ohio. The fourth youngest of 12 children, she was nurtured religiously by her loving parents.

Alberta was a studious and industrious young woman at an early age. She attended public school in Columbus, Ohio with her brothers and sisters. Alberta continued her pursuit of academic excellence at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1949 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education in 1956.

In 1957, Alberta married her handsome Kenneth Roy Callahan in Kansas City, Kansas. God blessed them with two loving children Zora Lynne and Kenneth Roy Callahan, II.

Alberta continued her academic pursuits with Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, where she received a Master of Arts Degree in Business Education in 1975 and Master of Arts Degree in Counseling in 1984.

Alberta with her supportive and abiding family enjoyed a long storied professional career that spanned over 40 years with the Detroit Board of Education. During her career Alberta held Professional Licenses with the National Board for Certified Counselors, the State of Michigan Counseling Endorsement, the State of Michigan Teacher's Continuing Certificate, and the State of Michigan Vocational Endorsement. She received numerous awards with the Detroit Board of Education, to include The Placement Specialist of the Year in 1979 and the Top Placement Specialist from 1981-1984.

Prior to working with the Detroit Board of Education, Alberta held the position of Research Assistant with the United Foundation in Columbus, Ohio; taught in the Manpower Programs in Houston, Texas and Detroit; and taught Business Courses at the Detroit Institute of Commerce.

Alberta was truly a renaissance woman. She is a Life Member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and became a "Golden Soror" in 1998. Alberta also enjoyed her organizational memberships in the American Association for the Counseling and Development, Michigan Personnel and Guidance Association, Michigan Association of School Placement Personnel, Michigan Vocational Guidance Association, Michigan Business Education Association, Delta Pi Epsilon and N.A.A.C.P.

Preceding Alberta in death were her husband, Kenneth; both parents. Lee Virgil and Annabel! Phillips; three sisters, Rosalee Cameo, Marie and Delores; six brothers, Roland, Malcolm, Leroy, Benjamin, Alonzo and Richard.

Alberta leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life and legacy: a loving daughter, Zora Lynne (Marcus); a son, Kenneth II (Joyce); grandchildren, Andre, Fallen, Alexander, Kenneth III and Jordan; two sisters, Virginia Branker (Leroy) of Atlanta, Georgia and Bernice Carter of Columbus, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Ruth Branson of Dayton, Ohio, Idella Cook of Springfield, Ohio and Mary Callahan of Columbus, Ohio; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.