Carolyn Mays Cameron

Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Carolyn Mays Cameron, 95, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Hospice House in Charlottesville, Virginia. Born on March 30, 1931, in Orlando, Florida, to the late Charles B. and Juanita Hooten Mays, Carolyn cherished her upbringing in what was then a small-town in Florida. After attending Florida State University, she returned home where she met David Herdman Cameron (USMA Class of 1950). They married on May 23, 1953, beginning a thirty-eight-year journey as an "Army family" that included an overseas tour in Germany and nearly three decades at USMA at West Point, NY.

Carolyn was a tireless, energetic center of the West Point community, as committed to West Point and the Math Department as David! In addition to volunteering, hosting countless parties for the Math department, classmates and the academic board, she worked as a West Point tour guide and for the Association of Graduates. The neighborhood tennis courts were behind the house and she and David took full advantage -- she kept the trophy from their tournament win! She was also well known for teaching high-energy exercise classes. She famously took pride in the day the Army football team joined her class at the Field House; by the end of the session, Carolyn had the young athletes red-faced and sweating. Carolyn and David were devoted to their three children and, in later years, she loved to reminisce about family memories and their childhood antics.

Following David’s retirement in 1988, the couple moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where they lived for fourteen years. During this time, Carolyn began a second career as a real estate agent before finally relocating to Charlottesville. All who knew Carolyn will remember her vivacious personality, her abiding kindness, and her utter devotion to her family. An animal lover at heart, she raised many dogs and cats and always welcomed visitors to bring their pets along, too!

Carolyn is survived by her sister, Melba Mays Maynard, and her brother, Charles B. Mays, Jr.. She is also survived by her beloved children (daughter, Leslie Anne Cameron and husband, Ed Colonna, of Arlington, VA, son, David H. Cameron, Jr. and wife, Patricia Cameron of Hamilton, MA, daughter, Susan Cameron Reres and husband, Tom Reres, of Afton, VA), seven grandchildren (Kate Cameron Orb and husband, Quinn, Anne Cameron Zgrablich and husband, Andrew, Carolyn Cameron Voge and husband, John, Shannon Reres Pratson and husband, John, Erin Christine Reres, Matthew Cameron Reres, and Kelsey Gwyn Butterworth and wife, Quinn Doyle). And, her legacy continues with eleven beautiful great-grandchildren! A funeral service, celebration of life, and committal will be held at Olivet Presbyterian Church, 2575 Garth Road, Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday, May 30 at 2:00pm. Teague Funeral Service is handling arrangements; condolences may be expressed at Teaguefuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont or the ASPCA.