Mary H Campbell

After finishing high school, I went to Florida State University (then Florida State College for Women) and majored in Music. I was a member of the Honorary Music Club, (later Sigma Alpha Iota,) and Alpha Chi Omega.

I returned to love in Zephyrhills following my marriage to Charles P. Campbell, had three sons, and became involved in community activities. Among which I became President of the Junior Women's Club, and later the Florida State President of The Junior Women's Club and on the board of the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

In 1957 our family moved to Africa where my husband served as a Foreign Service Officer with the U. S. Government's Department of State. We were there for 17 wonderful years. Memorable experiences included loving in the land of the Queen of Sheba where we came to know Emperor Haile Selassie and his family in Ethiopia. I made many good friends there. My hobbies were collecting African songs and putting them into manuscripts, also forming and directing a choir in the local U.S. aided nursing school. I had composed music to The Florence Nightingale Pledge for the nursing school choir which was later published by the U.S. National Student Nurses Association with an international copyright.

In other African countries, it was a great privilege teaching in the local schools, both elementary and in schools for the blind and handicapped. I also assisted African women in forming an organization of their own to help the poorer children of the respective country. Another great thrill was seeing Victoria Falls and living not too far away from them. Especially after reading about Davis Livingston when I was a child I was marveled by his experience and never dreamed that one say I would be so fortunate to actually see the falls one day! Africa will always be a memorable part of my life, although we had an interesting assignment in Jamaica later.

Along with the Great African Experience, we did have some setbacks with various coups d'états, bandit attacks, a serious scorpion bite that I received when picnicking on the banks of the Nile River. During the farewell party for my husband the Chief Executive of the Government of Eritrea, Ethiopia, told me we would always remember the happy experiences over the unfortunate ones, and he was absolutely right! By 1981, we were back in Florida, this time however in my Husband's boyhood home in Orlando, where we have been ever since. I had membership in several organizations including First Presbyterian Church, the Greater Orlando Board of Realtors, Orlando Country Club, and the Republican Women's Club of Winter Park.

Written by Mary Clarice Hart Campbell

Relatives include Philip Campbell, Jr. and Lisa Campbell, Chris Campbell and Mary Beth Campbell, Marshall Campbell and Lily Campbell, grandchildren Michelle Campbell, Gwendolyn Campbell and Charles Campbell III. Also, a cousin, Susan Schrader, of Dade City, FL.

Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service for Mrs. Campbell at the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, Reformation Chapel, 106 East Church Street, Orlando, Wednesday, July 11th at 3pm. Arrangements by Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Ivanhoe Chapel.