Ila Fern Callaway Driver died on Tuesday, May 14th. She was born in Fallbrook, California in 1921, the youngest child and only daughter of Grover Cleveland Callaway and Della Mae Taff Callaway. Her childhood was marked by the beginning of the Great Depression and the loss of her father when she was in high school, so Ila learned the value of hard work early—something that would take her far in life. She was an early riser, if you weren't up with the sun then 'half the day was gone by then'.
Ila worked at the restaurant of Gertrude and Walter Hughes of Fallbrook. She soon met and fell in love with their nephew Walter, who had travelled to California from Ohio to visit them. Walter and Ila were married in 1938 in Yuma, AZ. Their son Don was born in 1941 and daughter Elayne followed in 1945.
Ila was a draftsperson at Consolidated Aircraft while Walter built B24 Liberators during World War II. Ila's working life was a successful one, she was the first female College Fiscal Administrator of the Los Angeles County Community College District. They were able to retire early in 1978.
Walter and Ila saw the world, particularly during their retirement. They visited 79 countries and also travelled the U.S. with the or RV'ing club The Exploradoras. Their adventures took them to Hawaii, Europe, Mexico, South America, Japan, Canada, the Caribbean, Egypt, Israel, Alaska and China. Together they marveled at the pyramids of Egypt, were among the first Western visitors to visit China and Soviet-era Russia and watched gypsies dance in Spain. She brought back photos of phone booths and samples of toilet paper from every country she visited.
When not traveling Walter and Ila resided at their home in Fallbrook, CA. She returned to the hometown she loved after making a life and raising a family in Culver City, CA. The walls of their home were covered with her beautiful needlepoints; she could recreate any work of art given enough time and thread. Their backyard was dense with the fruit and vegetable garden they grew each year. Fruits and veggies grew with such abundance that Ila had to put her canning skills to the test every year.
Ila also delighted in weekly card games with the girls. "Hand and Foot" was a favorite game—spoiled only if you were caught at the end of the round with the dreaded 'Red 3' worth 500 points if you couldn't discard it in time!
Ila spent free time volunteering at the local Fallbrook hospital, bringing conversation, treats and cheer to those recuperating. Her volunteer work with the Fallbrook Historical Society earned her the Pioneer of the Year award in 2008 and that year she was honored to ride the Historical Society's 1929 Ford in the Fallbrook Christmas Parade.
Sadly Walter passed away in 1999, just after the couple met their first great-grandchild. Their children and grandchildren were their greatest source of pride and accomplishment in this life. As sad as she was to lose her beloved husband of 61 years so suddenly, they were able to greet the next generation of their legacy together.
Ila Fern Callaway Driver is survived by her son Don Driver, daughter Elayne Driver Peru, son-in-law Paul Peru, grandchildren Don Driver Jr., David Driver and Tracy Driver McCarthy and their spouses Lynnette Ditto Driver, Suzanne Stemple Driver and Kelly McCarthy, and her great-grandchildren Jessica Driver, Jordan Driver and David McCarthy. We carry her legacy of life, love and family forward in our hearts and are comforted that Grandma has been reunited with her beloved Walter.