Mary Willene (Riner) Calhoun

2004 Effingham County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Married to Thomas E. (Buddy) Calhoun on August 11, 1956 for 42 years who passed away on April 29, 1999. They moved to Meldrim in 1961.

They had two children Terri L. Knapp & Thomas Anthony (Tony) Calhoun.

4 grandchildren- Tammy Smith, Tori Dickerson, Cody & Salena Calhoun

All grandchildren played recreation ball and 2 are still playing.

4 great grandchildren – Brandon Smith, Austin Smith, Hayden Smith and Kayla Dickerson are still playing.

Willene played softball for 19 years for the Meldrim Women’s team in league and tournaments. The coaches were Larry Barnes, Rabbit Royer, Wendell Hodges, and John Hales (last 17 years) who were inducted in the Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. The Meldrim women dominated women’s softball in this area for many years. Meldrim would play the league all stars in a game because the first place team always played the All Stars. She also played co-ed softball for 4 years.

Willene assisted Patt Hallisey and Clarence Morgan with tournaments benefiting the recreation department for more than 15 years starting in 1977. She was the scorekeeper for tournaments also during these years.

She was the scorekeeper for the Rebel Baseball teams coached by Clarence Morgan for 11 years from 1977 until 1988. She was much more than just a scorekeeper, she assisted Rebel Baseball in many ways. She would have been titled a Super Supporter of Rebel Sports for many years after her children finished school in 1978.

She ran the concession stand for high school football and basketball games. She was secretary for ECHS Booster for 7 years. She was on the Recreation Board of Commissioners for 3 years. She was secretary for the Recreation Department under Patt Hallisey for a short time.

She helped Donald Hales coach a little league baseball team in Meldrim from 1966 until 1972. She started the girl’s softball team for Meldrim and the next year Donald Hales took over as coach. She coached her grandchildren in tee ball for 2 years when no parents would step up.

She was involved in the Meldrim Athletic Association from 1966 until 1980. She was secretary for a number of years. She assisted the association in many ways from running concession stand to umpiring games when needed.

She assisted Clarence Morgan who was the athletic director by keeping score and helped run tournaments to start back the Central Jr. High School Athletic program in 1980. They made over $ 7,000.00 that summer.

She was a member of the Meldrim Civic Club for many years. She was president when Union Camp gave the land for the Meldrim Park and also when part of the playground was installed.

She assisted the Arden Chevrolet and B & B Softball teams as scorekeepers when they hosted tournaments at Pineora for years.

She still resides in Meldrim on 5^th Street and enjoys spending time at her place on the Ogeechee River just north of Millen.