Henryetta Carrington DeShields Callahan

Henryetta Carrington DeShields Callahan, “Dee” to all who knew her, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025, in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

Born on January 2, 1937, in Richmond, VA, Dee was the daughter of Henry Carrington DeShields and Thelma Wilkerson DeShields. She was raised by her Aunt Marie and Uncle Bill Grinels of Richmond. After graduating from Hermitage High School, Dee obtained a degree in Fine Arts and Education at Mary Washington College, graduating one year early. Her professors encouraged her to pursue a career in painting, but Dee had fallen in love with a young man from California that she met at a church social. She married Craig Callahan a few months after graduating to build a life of love and family. Their life together took them to California, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia with their final years in South Carolina, growing their family along the way with three daughters and many loved pets.

Art continued to be an enthusiastic pursuit in Dee’s life. Family, people, travel, and nature were the subjects of her paintings and drawings. She participated in various art fairs using her talents as a pastel artist to draw portraits. Growing up near the water, Dee found the sea to be a place for restoration and many of her works depicted this passion.

Dee was known for her love of learning and travel as well as her wit and humor. Her college friends knew her as a prankster and her husband fell prey to her clever April Fool’s Day tricks each year. Dee was always reading or listening to books. She was fascinated by family genealogy tracing her ancestry on both sides of the family. Her research supported an invitation for membership to the Mayflower Society. Dee also donated her grandfather’s original letters written during the Civil War to a special collection at Virginia Tech University.

Dee was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church where many enduring friendships were made. She was a spiritual and compassionate individual who genuinely enjoyed being with people of all ages. Dee celebrated many events and holidays but was known for her St. Patrick Day parties where friends were entertained by Irish treats, fun, and silly games. She wanted to make holidays and birthdays special, especially for her daughters, through decorated cakes, music, themed parties, and her famous flaming holiday desserts. Dee encouraged her daughters to be creative and imaginative.

In her forties, Dee returned to college to earn a master’s degree from VCU in Social Work, becoming a licensed Clinical Social Worker. She set up a private practice specializing in family and marriage therapy. Dee became certified in hypnotherapy to help her patients stop addictive behaviors such as smoking or to overcome fears such as flying. Dee is remembered for her compassion and care for people around her, often helping her daughters’ friends with life concerns. She never met a stranger; Dee would strike up meaningful conversations with any person she encountered. She genuinely cared about the well-being of others. Dee was welcoming to the friends and spouses of her daughters, always making that special effort to make them feel they were part of her family.

At age 60, Dee published her own book, Mother’s Day, an autobiographical account of how challenges in her childhood influenced her adult life, especially as a mother to her own daughters.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughters: Lisa; Cathy (Dave); Lori (Tom). Dee also leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren: Jillian (Drew), Sydney, Reilly, Craig, Maggie, Jack, and Adelle. Dee was the big sister to her half siblings, Harry, Richard, and Anne. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Craig Callahan.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 North Parham Road, Richmond VA 23229 on Tuesday, December 2 at 11 am. A reception to follow to gather and share memories.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Memorial Fund, Dachshund Rescue organizations, or mental health initiatives—causes close to Dee’s heart.

Dee will be remembered for her compassion, wit, intelligence, and unwavering spirit. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.

Online condolences may be left at www.ridgewayfh.com

Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements. (843) 485-4242