Hugh Harris Cameron

Hugh Harris Cameron, 87, of Apex, North Carolina, reunited triumphantly with his Lord in heaven on October 17th, 2026, after a blessed and joyful life. Surrounded by family, he passed peacefully from a brain bleed in the early morning hours of Saturday at WakeMed Raleigh. Hugh was born March 23rd, 1939, in Roanoke Rapids, NC, to Fannie Crawford Harris and Hugh Edwin Cameron. He attended Roanoke Rapids High School, received his Bachelor of Arts from High Point University, and graduated from Duke University Divinity School in 1964.

As an ordained United Methodist Minister, Hugh had ten appointments within the North Carolina Conference: Pinetops UMC 1964-1966, First UMC in Rocky Mount 1966-1968, West End UMC 1968-1971, Amity UMC in Chapel Hill 1971-1976, Conference Council on Ministries Staff 1976-1980, Mt. Sylvan UMC in Durham 1980-1984, Centenary UMC in Smithfield 1984-1988, Hay Street UMC in Fayetteville 1988-1992, Benson Memorial UMC in Raleigh 1992-1999, and First UMC in Clinton 1999-2004. To Hugh, everyone was a part of his congregation. In retirement, he could be found lingering long after Sunday service was over to make his rounds or befriending folks at the grocery store, bank, pharmacy, and even fellow customers at his beloved Smithfield’s Chicken and BBQ.

Throughout his life, Hugh enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, Maryella. They returned from many of their travels not only with photos and memories, but also new friendships that broadened their ever-growing community around the globe. Among the countless places they saw together, nowhere was quite as special to Hugh and Maryella as their house on Lake Tillery in Mt. Gilead, NC, where Hugh met Maryella on a summer ministry appointment at her hometown church in the early 1960s. At the Lake House, you could find Hugh driving the pontoon boat (often pulling a child or grandchild behind it), tinkering with a project around the house, or enjoying an iced tea on the porch while watching the sunset over the water.

Hugh is reunited in death with his parents, Fannie Crawford Harris and Hugh Edwin Cameron; sister, Addie Lee Cameron Stephenson; daughter, Catherine Lee Cameron; and his loving wife of 57 years, Maryella Bruton Cameron. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Betsy and Eric Tang of Kernersville, and Julie and Jeff Oram of Fayetteville. Hugh also leaves behind four granddaughters and two grandsons: Ashley Tang-Halverson (husband Isaac), Kristen Gates (husband Cameron), Rachel Tang (fiancé Trey Townsend), Abby Cameron, Cameron Oram, and Sol Oram. Hugh will be remembered for his joyful humor, love of a good visit, sweet tooth, and unwavering faith in the Lord. He cherished his roles as dad, granddaddy, uncle, cousin, pastor, and friend, and will be deeply missed.

A memorial service to celebrate Hugh’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 24th, at Apex United Methodist Church, 100 South Hughes Street in Apex, NC. Hugh loved a colorful floral arrangement, and in honor of that, attendees are invited to wear bright colors to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Apex UMC Music Program at 100 South Hughes St, Apex, NC 27502.