Mary Lou Cameron

Mary Lou was born in Browning, Illinois to Ellsworth "Bob" and Faye Ambrosius Reno, in 1919 during the great flu pandemic. She had deep Christian roots from her farm family upbringing, and asked Jesus to be her Savior as a teenager at a country church revival in Browning, Illinois. Following high school, she attended Beauty College and worked briefly as a beautician.

Mary Lou met Harold Cameron whom she encouraged in becoming a Christian. They were married during World War II and she accompanied him as he served in the Air Force in Louisiana and Texas. After the war ended, Harold felt called to preach, and for the rest of their lives Mary Lou and he both worked as a team living and breathing Christian Mission work. She completed training at Moody Bible Institute with Harold, and then moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Harold completed his seminary training.

A son, Jerry, was born while they were in Kentucky. She and Harold moved back to Illinois in 1952, in what would become 29 years of service being involved in starting churches in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Mary Lou was active in Mission oriented groups throughout this time and into her retirement years. She was active in the Women's Missionary Union for 66 years and served as a WMU president for several years in Elgin, Carbondale, and Chatham churches.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers who died shortly after birth; and her husband, Harold.

She is survived by her son, Jerry (Cindy) Cameron; grandchild, Heather Ledford and husband, J.R; great-granddaughter, Elise Ledford; grandchild, Rustin Cameron and wife, Diana; and great-grandchildren, Ethan, Ezekiel, and Allyria.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Chatham Baptist Church, 1500 E. Walnut Street, Chatham. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Milton Bost officiating. Burial will follow at Browning Cemetery, N. Bader Road, Browning, IL 62617.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Foundation for scholarships or Illinois Baptist State Missions, either c/o the Illinois Baptist State Association, 3085 Stevenson Dr. Springfield, IL 62703.

The family of Mary Lou Cameron is being served by Butler Funeral Home—Chatham, 8855 State Rt. 4, Chatham.