Barbara Cunningham Calhoun

PerryBarbara Cunningham Calhoun, 86. passed away peacefully on Monday, November 16, 2015.A visitation to celebrate her life will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. A graveside service is planned for Monday, November 23 in Lincolnton, Georgia, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, John Blue.The family suggests contributions to the Church Home and Rehabilitation Center, 2470 Highway 41 north, Ft. Valley, Georgia 31030 or donor's favorite charity, Barbara Cunningham Calhoun, Mayor of Perry from 1980 through 1984, also know for her uncomprising politics and leadership style, was Perry's own "Iron Lady".She was born in Lincoln County in 1929 and was the daughter of the late Lewis Parks Cunningham, Sr. and Edna Wilkinson Cunningham. Barbara attended the Lincolnton public schools until the death of her father, when she was a senior in High School. Because of relatives in Houston County, she moved to Kathleen and graduated from Bonaire High School in 1946. After attending an advanced secretarial school in Macon, she went to work at Robins Air Force Base in 1947, and retired as a programmer with over 30 years. In 1975, Barbara ran for Perry City Council, but was not successful. She ran again for for a vacated city post and was elected in 1975, serving five years. Of course, Mayor Calhoun was Perry's only female Mayor. As a true public servant, she got the job done in an honest, straight-forward and humble way.Larry Walker labeled Barbara Perry's "Iron Lady" because of her candid, straighforward, hard working, and no-nonsense type of leadership. Barbara's decision to offer "free land" to the State of Georgia was instrumental in the monies from both political bodies being put into the project.Larry also continued on his articles about Perry's Mayors, of his concern that his portrayal did not reflect the warm, fine, fun person that she was. Barbara had a long love affair with her husband, John Blue Calhoun, III, who passed away years ago. She was an active member of the Ladies Golf Assocciation at Houston Lake Country Club and had lots of friends at the lake. Not content to do nothing, she was appointed a member of the Houston County Hospital Authority in 1992 and served until 2000, having been chairperson for part of that time. Barbara and John Blue, married for 56 years, who had no children, but took Barbara's deceased sister's son, Leon Watson, when he was 11, and raised him to be a fine man and citizen. She had numerous nieces and nephews and especially, Mary W. Foreman who was a loving caregiver through the last years. Barbara was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.Condolences may be left at watsonhunt.com

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Barbara Cunningham Calhoun

November 16, 2015