What can be said about a woman who has lived for over 101 Years?

She could be described in so many ways that it would take a lifetime to complete. She could be best described as simply a wonderful and exceptional person who was loved and touched by so many.  Always putting others ahead of herself. She had great concern and compassion for others, always with their needs and best interests first and foremost.

She grew up on a farm up in Hope, Maine. She was one of seven children born to Herbert Everett, and Ada Annis Tolman Payson.  She lived and worked all her life in the Camden, Rockland area, and made so many great friends during her lifetime.

Callie, as she preferred to be called, lived a pretty simple life raising three children. Not wanting or needing all the best things in life, as she always had those with her close and extended family, as well as her extensive family of friends. There was never a time in her long life that she could even think of not helping others in need. She worried more about others, than she did of herself.

She outlived all her siblings by many years as well as her son, George. She never forgot them. She had a very special place in her heart for those that had passed whom she loved so dearly. She had an incredible memory, and as the old saying goes, ‘was sharp as a tack’ to the very end. 

Given the many challenges she faced during her incredible life, she was stronger than most could imagine.  No matter what the difficulty, she stayed steadfast and determined to overcome whatever came her way.  She was said to be, by so many, a resilient, determined and an incredibly tenacious lady. Simply amazing!

When she made up her mind to do something, she always had the determination to see it through, especially if it involved any of her extensive family members and friends.

One can only imagine what she has seen and done during her long life with all the changes occurring around her. With not even a telephone in early life, let alone all the other gadgets that most of us are now tied to; she instead, was tied to her large family, and her circle of many great friends.

It is truly a sad day now that she has left us all behind.  We all know that there could never have been a better mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.  She has given so much to so many and asked for so little. She has endured much pain in her life, as well as enjoying, and appreciating all the love and happiness given to her.

Clarista Caroline Payson was born in Camden, August 23, 1917. She was a graduate of Camden High School class of 1935. She was a member of the John Street United Methodist Church in Camden since March 30, 1975, where she served as Communion Steward, and sang in the choir.  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Ocean View Chapter 201, as well as other senior citizen groups including the Red Hatters in Camden.

She loved making a home for her family, music, playing her organ, dancing and traveling.  She loved the out of doors, sitting and chatting with friends and neighbors, planting flowers in the spring and maintaining her rock garden.

Other than her parents and siblings, Callie was predeceased by her husbands, George C. Graves, Sr., John Howard Buzzell and Leo A. Laderman; one son, George C. Graves, Jr. in 1994; her son-in-law, Gilbert H. Knight, Jr., in 2005, and one grandson, Adam M. Knight in 2015. 

Her loving family now includes her son, David M. Graves, and his wife Marie, of Orlando, Florida; her daughter, Carolyn Graves Knight, of Camden; daughter-in-law, Ramona Graves, of Hope; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Raymond (Lena) Payson, of Connecticut; grandchildren Ann M. Graves, Lynne G. De Pasquale, Sharon G. Spear, Stephen A. Graves, all of Hope; Jeannette A. Graves of Orlando, Florida, Joanne G. Mohammed of Groveland, Florida; great-grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Mohammed, Ashlee Marie Mohammed both of Groveland, Florida, Kelly Graves of Camden, Joshua Graves, Courtney De Pasquale, Bryan Gunn all of Hope, Jessica Gunn of Warren,  Ashley Ramona Graves, of Union, Leanna Spear of Camden and Alysha Sequoya of Carrolton, Virginia; great-great-grandchildren, Starla Spear, Kendall Perkins both of Camden, and Caitlyn Clair of Carrolton, Virginia, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Now that she has moved on to the next stage of life, she will be missed immensely, but will remain dearly in our hearts forever. The sadness now in our hearts, will soon be replaced with joy by celebrating, and remembering her incredible time here on earth with us, and the love and happiness she has given us all.

She is now free to enjoy the peace and tranquility that she so well deserves. Rest easy, dear precious lady. Go with God!

The family would like to thank the Homestead in Cushing, Penobscot Bay Medical Center and the Sussman House for the care and compassion they gave Callie and her family in her final days.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2018, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a funeral service will be held at twelve o’clock noon, Saturday, November 10. To share a memory or story with Callie’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.