Minnie Calcote Deaton

Minnie Calcote Deaton, 94, passed peacefully August 6, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by her family. She was born September 16, 1929, in Benoit, Bolivar County, Mississippi, to Mable Louise Wood Calcote and William Cade Calcote. 

Minnie grew up on a farm in rural Mississippi and was no stranger to hard work, but she always had a sense of humor. She loved school and graduated from Benoit High School in 1948. With a scholarship in hand, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee, then attended and graduated from Draughon’s Business College. In Memphis, she met and later married Murray Deaton in 1949. They remained in Memphis, raising their two daughters, Anita and Patti, until Murray retired in 1979, at which time he and Minnie moved to their lakeside retirement home in Greers Ferry, Arkansas. 

Minnie enjoyed serving her churches in Memphis (Berclair and Crestview Baptist) and in Greers Ferry (West Side Baptist). She worked in the church library and nursery, was a member of the choir, taught and Vacation Bible School, and faithfully attended bible study. She loved to cook, garden, and sew (including making banners for her church, and quilts and clothes for her and her family. While in Arkansas, she discovered a talent for writing poetry and was always eager to share her poetry with her many friends and family members. In 2016, Minnie and Murray moved to San Antonio, Texas, to be with family, and she quickly made new friends but never forgot their Tennessee or Arkansas friends. 

She is survived by her two daughters, Anita (Bill Weeper), Patti (Lee Webb); granddaughters, Christina (Steve Schabow) and Ashley (Wilson); and great-grandchildren, Nolan and Scarlett Schabow and Makenzie Wilson; sister, Helen Calcote Wilson, Brother, Marion Jeff Calcote (Kathy Calcote); and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. 

Above all else, Minnie loved the Lord and her family. While not anxious to leave, she has been looking forward to being reunited with those who preceded her in death: Her husband of 69 years, Murray W. Deaton; her mother and father, Louise and Cade Calcote; a brother, William Prentiss Calcote; and a sister, Lydia Mae Calcote Wiens. Her legacy of love has shaped her family and will continue for generations. 

Minnie will be buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, with her husband Murray. 

Faithful child of God, Living in the hearts of those left behind