Mowell Funeral Home

In memory of Abner Ruben Calleiro,
08/20/1927 - 05/10/2015


CALLEIRO, Abner Ruben 'Papi', of Matanzas, Cuba was residing in Hampton, GA. He passed away on May 10, 2015 at the age of 87.

Papi, as most knew him… was a “Friend of God"; his knowledge of the Word of God, was beyond and ahead of many of his contemporaries. His father was a Pastor and a pioneer in Cuba. His brother was also a Pastor in Cuba, and all of his children are part of the ministry in every place they have lived or passed through. Two of his sons and his son-in-law are also ordained ministers of the Gospel, as well as other members of the family who are also actively involved in ministry.

Papi together with Mami (Lesvia Calleiro) had a gift of hospitality and his home served as a support for many missionaries and seminary students throughout their entire life. Papi developed the only buttons and buckles factory in the Caribbean, in Cuba. Many of his employees, at that time, became Christians as the result of his witness, while being a great business man. Having lost his business to Castro, the family was blessed to be able to leave Cuba together under very difficult circumstances. They landed in Madrid, Spain with only the clothes they were wearing and a very strong faith. The first thing that Papi did was gather the family for prayer. Note, they did not know anyone and did not have sufficient enough money to survive but just a few days. Within minutes of the prayer, an American Missionary whom they did not know took them in for food and shelter until the opportunity to contact other family in the USA. Almost immediately, they transitioned to Atlanta and it has been home since 1963. Papi worked in several factories as a machinist, although very quickly, he was hired and employed by Delta Air Lines. He retired from Delta Air Lines as a machinist and worked in Department 300 from August 1964 to August 1983. His Ministry though never stopped. Papi was one of the first Spanish speaking Pastors in Atlanta and had one of the first Christian radio programs in Metro Atlanta. When he retired from Delta, he continued to serve the Lord full time.

His engineering skills made it possible for him to become a very skilled carpenter and he expanded every home he lived in. He made many family projects, such as beds and tables, and helped many people with their projects.

He is survived by his sons, Pastor Antonio Garcia of Duluth. GA, Abner Calleiro, Jr and wife April of Crestview, FL, Ruben Calleiro of Charleston, SC, Pastor Sam Calleiro and wife Rebecca of Griffin, GA, Joel Calleiro and wife Katrina of Hampton, GA; his daughter Lesvita Causland and husband Tom of Opelika, AL; twenty grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; his sisters, Olga Tabares of Griffin, GA, Laura Esther Calleiro of Ocala, FL and Mary Aixa Calleiro of Miami, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville Chapel. Pastor Antonio Garcia and Pastor Sam Calleiro will officiate. Interment will follow Saturday at 2:30PM at Riverview Memorial Park in Smyrna, GA. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to El Calvario Church, designated to Rev. A. Calleiro. El Calvario Church - 978 Riva Ridge Dr. – Norcross – GA – 30093.


Published on Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home Website 05/14/2015.