Camille was born on October 29, 1931 in Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up in the Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri on Roberts St. with her parents, Bernard B. Brown and Rose K. Brown, two brothers and a sister. Camille went to Glennon High school and graduated in 1949. Growing up she would join her Dad in volunteer work distributing food and support to the needy in Kansas City. From these experiences she learned a strong work ethic that would carry throughout her life. One of her favorite sayings was "Get your work done first and then you can go play" which she picked up directly from her Father. She married Ralph E. Little on July 19, 1952 and together raised their four children. They were married for 27 years. Later she met and married Steve Ainsworth on December 15, 1984.
Her life's goal was to be a good mother to her kids and loved being a housewife. She started working at Coast to Coast Hardware in Loma Vista and learned everything there was to know about the hardware business. Camille became the go to person to mix paint. If she wasn't working that day customers would come back later to get their paint! She later went to work for Dr. Richard Sinclair and followed him in his medical practice to the Kansas City Womens Clinic and worked there for 27 years until she retired in October of 1996 at the age of 65. She made many lifelong friends while working there. Every year on her birthday she would happily spend all night making chili and graham cracker cookies for everyone at the Clinic.
Camille grew up Catholic and enjoyed going to Catholic school. She went to Assumption elementary and Glennon High schools. She especially enjoyed religion class with Father Sullivan. In her later years, she grew to be a strong member of her church, St. Luke's United Methodist, but she was always a Catholic at heart. She was known for sharing her Catholic teachings every week in Sunday School. She started a "Coffee n' More" group at her church eventually moving the group to her house where she lived for 60 years. After Camille retired, she became a leader in Stephen's Ministry at St. Luke's UMC.
She loved mowing and cleaning up the yard, reading and spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite book and one she recommends was "O, the Brave Music" by Dorothy Evelyn Smith. She loved planning and hosting parties for her friends and family. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday. She also loved learning about American history with a special focus on the Native American story. Her house was full of books, artifacts, pottery and copper from her many travels around the United States. Camille loved her copper! Her family new many of the Kansas City Chiefs back in the late 1960's. She was on the Chief's bowling league and hosted many watch parties with the wives of players. One of her achievements was starting Parents of Special Education (POSE) at Ingels Elementary School.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard B. Brown and Rose K. Brown; her brother, Bernard B. Brown Jr.; her sister-in-law, Sammy Jean Brown; her first husband, Ralph Edgar Little Sr; and second husband, Steve Ainsworth.
She is survived by her brother, Jerry Brown (Lucy) of Marietta, GA; her sister, Roberta Stepien of Kansas City, Missouri; her children, Cathy Bussard (Rudy) of Estero, Florida; Debra Gann (Mike) of Raymore, Missouri; Ralph Little (Terri Jo) of Van Buren, Arkansas; and Karen Curtis of Raytown, Missouri; her grandchildren, Michael Bussard; Christina White-Thompson (Darrik); Ryan Little (Leanne); and David Hackett; and her 12 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Kansas City Hospice house for the care and compassion they showed Camille in her final days.
Services will be held at St Luke's United Methodist Church with a committal service to follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery South. Details are below.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Kansas City Hospice House.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Ainsworth family.
