Laura Kathleen Cameron

Laura Kathleen Cameron, 91, of Fort Smith, passed away Thursday in Fort Smith. She was born in Spiro Oklahoma in 1922 to Theodore and Aimee Merryman. She graduated from high school in Cleveland, Ohio, and was a graduate of Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, and completed her Master’s Degree from Oklahoma University.

She taught at Mill Creek Grade School, Darby Junior High School and retired as an English Instructor from Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. First United Methodist Church in Spiro was central to her life since 1937, when the church was still worshiping under an arbor and services were held entirely in the Choctaw language. Involved in every facet of church life, she served as organist, teacher, UMW president, Finance Committee Chair, and Trustee. She was a member and former Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #144 and a member and former State Mother-Advisor of the Order of Rainbow for Girls.She was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation and taught her children and grandchildren to appreciate this heritage.She was preceded in death by her husband George E. Cameron and an infant son, James.

She is survived by her son Mack Skeen of Fort Smith, daughter Aimee Kathleen Montgomery of Kingsville, TX, and step-daughters, Candice Hamill of Belleville, IL, Holly Cameron Pinto of Belleville, IL and Vicki Cameron of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 10 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, her beloved dog Libby and her caregiver Gayle Greb.

The family will visit with friends at her residence Monday, August 5, from 4 – 7 pm.

Celebration of her life will be 10 am, Tuesday, August 6, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fort Smith with burial at Spiro City Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

To sign on online guestbook visit

www.edwardsfuneralhome.com