James Darden Callis, 68, of Mathews, often affectionately known as the "Mayor" of Cricket Hill, passed away at home on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, after a short courageous battle with cancer.

Darden was a member of Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church. He was a 1961 graduate of Mathews High School, and was retired from Anheuser-Busch in Williamsburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte H. and Elwood Callis Jr.

He is survived by two daughters, Pam Callis of Gloucester (fiancé Curt Lett) and Kim Callis of Mathews; two granddaughters, Lauren Petrosky (Jess) of Raleigh, N.C., and Hannah Canady of Mathews; two grandsons, Ross Downs of Gloucester, and Noah Canady of Mathews; one great-granddaughter, Lillian Arden Petrosky of Raleigh; one sister, Mary Ann Davis (J.D.) of Locust Hill; and two brothers, E. Eugene Callis III (Anne) of Cardinal and John Lee Callis of Gwynn’s Island.

A graveside service was held Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at 3 p.m. at the Gwynn’s Island Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109 or the Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church, P.O. Box 26, Gwynn, Va. 23066, will be appreciated.