Maerene Gary Campbell age 99 passed away July 16, 2020 at Southern Oaks Assisted Living.
She was born January 14, 1921 in Hardin County, near Milledgeville, the daughter of the late James Elmer and Bessie Pitts Gary. She graduated from Chester County High School in 1941, where she was a basketball star player for Coach James Williams. She entered Baptist Memorial Nursing School in Memphis in 1942, where she graduated and became the chief nurse for Dr. Eustace Semmes of Semmes Murphy Clinic. She later became the charge neo natal nurse for Baptist Central in downtown Memphis.
She married Orman Campbell in 1947, while he was a student at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. He graduated in March of 1949 and they moved to Bristol, TN. He practiced in Bristol and later in Dresden, before moving to Henderson in 1953 to open Orman Campbell, O.D. office of optometrists.
Mrs. Campbell served as a volunteer with the Chester County Health Department, lecturing on the diseases of smoking. She was also a volunteer for the American Red Cross Blood Drives, where she used her skills as a Registered Nurse. She had served for local and statewide PTA. She was extremely active in the local chapter of Republican Women, serving locally and statewide and served on Senator Howard Baker’s election staff.
She was an active member of The First United Methodist Church where she served on many committees and was a long standing Sunday School Teacher of all ages.
She was a member of the Pentagon Club, the DAR, and she and Oman were finding members of the Henderson Couples Bridge Club. She was an extremely good bridge player.
Mrs. Campbell is survived by her husband, Dr. Orman Campbell of Henderson; a son, Gary Campbell (Edith) of Stantonville and a daughter, Cathy Campbell Holland (Steve) of Nashville; a grandson, Justin Campbell (Jennifer)and three great grandchildren, Jaycee Campbell, Jesson Campbell and Jaina Campbell.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Thurman Gary.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.
Private committal services will be held Monday at Henderson City Cemetery.
A public visitation and memorial service will be held at a later date.
Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson
