Joan Weaver MacCallum

Joan Weaver MacCallum of Lynchburg, died on October 11, 2023 at Lynchburg General Hospital. She was born on May 8, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Vinton Dean Weaver and Edra Vanessa Weaver. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert Hamilton MacCallum. Joan is survived by her brother Ned Weaver of Dallas, Texas, her daughter Jennifer Deann MacCallum of Richmond,Virginia, her son Andrew Hamilton MacCallum (Cecilia) of Lynchburg, her grandchildren Matthew Hamilton MacCallum and Lillian Maribee MacCallum, both of Lynchburg, and her 12 nieces and nephews. Joan grew up in Lathrup Village, just northwest of Detroit. In elementary school she met her best friends, Barbara, Helen, Mary, and Sonny, the Silly Six. Yes, only five, as none of them could ever remember who the sixth was; they remained the Silly Six regardless. Joan received her BA in Political Science from Michigan State University and after graduation made her way to Washington DC to take a job with the Central Intelligence Agency. While working for the CIA she met Bob MacCallum, and the two were wed in June of 1960. Theirs was truly a beautiful romance; they did everything together. Traveled, entertained, discussed the world, raised their children, enjoyed art and various cultures, all that makes life worth living. Joan and Bob settled in Lynchburg in 1969 and embarked on a life of public service and commitment to their community. Joan worked for the Women's Resource Center, as an aide for State Legislator Joan Jones, the Lynchburg Planning Commission, Planned Parenthood of Central Virginia, and the Lynchburg League of Women Voters. Notably, she was the first woman elected to Lynchburg City Council and served with distinction for 16 years. Always running as an At-Large candidate, she represented all citizens of Lynchburg equally and well. Joan was an enthusiastic supporter of the Lynchburg arts community. She was instrumental in bringing Riverviews Artspace to life, and continued doing her best to influence and contribute to the Lynchburg arts community throughout her life. She enjoyed her friends at the Heritage immensely, and was extremely grateful to have them in her life. Joan impacted every person she came upon, and with whom she spoke. She was a brilliant light that cannot be replaced. She will be missed forever. A service celebrating her life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Monument Terrace. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), or First Unitarian Universalist of Lynchburg (https://www.uulynchburg.org).