Mary Margaret Campbell

On April 12, Mary Margaret Campbell passed away at the age of 81. She was surrounded by love from her husband, Thomas “Tom” Giles Campbell, Sr., her daughter, Courtney Ann Black, her grandchildren, Cate and Anna Southwell, Pastor Jerry Haywood, and her Pulmonary Therapist, Angela Watson.

Mary Margaret was born on August 2, 1941, in Saltville, VA, and attended Gary High School. She graduated in the class of 1959 at Warwick High School in Newport News, VA while living with her aunt and uncle, Helen and Jack Carter, and she graduated from Hampton Roads Business College with an Associate's Degree. As President of the local chapter of Sigma Phi International Sorority, Mary Margaret was named Chapter Girl of the Year and represented her chapter at the state convention. Soon after, the sorority hosted a dance and she was set up on a blind date with her future husband, Tom Campbell, a new 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. After Tom spent time chasing Mary Margaret, she accepted his proposal and they were married in a ceremony in the chapel at Langley Air Force Base on January 5, 1963. The couple lived in Newport News, built a home in Suffolk, and then moved to Williamsburg in 1975. Tom and Mary Margaret were married for 60 years.

Helping children was important to Mary Margaret. She volunteered as a librarian at Jamestown Academy and as a teacher for the Walnut Hills Baptist Church Nursery, Sunday School, and Pre-School. She also helped at Wednesday night potluck dinners and Meals on Wheels events and was a member of the Kingsmill Recreation Committee as well as the Williamsburg Republican Committee. She was a member of Walnut Hills Baptist Church as well as Williamsburg Community Chapel. Mary Margaret was the office manager at The Wood Agency, an insurance and real estate office, owned by Tom and Gillie Wood who became her dear friends.

She loved antique shopping and attending estate sales, always on the hunt for vintage kitchenware and linens. Mary Margaret also enjoyed making soup, reading the newspaper, making lists, providing food and love for visitors, and always talking to friends and family. She never wore Christianity on her sleeve, demonstrating her love for Christ through her actions. Friends and family who were close to Mary Margaret said she was a true caregiver – always hospitable, inviting, accepting, selfless, giving, and forgiving. She was always considerate and intuitive to know what others needed. She was always calm, cool, and collected and could roll with the punches. She was resilient, always content, and never complained about anything. She had never-ending patience. She had a glowing personality and would light up when others were near. She was thoughtful and principled – she would stand her ground when it was important. She was dependable and loved deeply – she gave the best hugs and always waved goodbye at the front door.

Mary Margaret was preceded in death by her father, Berkley M. Holloway, her mother, Thelma “Billie” Holloway, her brother, John Berkley “JB” Holloway, her sisters, Victoria “Vickie” Holloway and Dollie Holloway, and her favorite dog Becket. Mary Margaret is survived by her husband of sixty years, Thomas Giles Campbell, Sr., their two children Courtney Ann Black and Thomas Campbell, Jr., Courtney’s husband, John Allen Black, Courtney’s children, Cate and Anna Southwell, Thomas’ wife, Anna Boyette Campbell, and their two children, Emma and Ian Campbell.

Mary Margaret’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 11:00 am at Walnut Hills Baptist Church in Williamsburg with celebrant Reverend Dr. Jerry Haywood. When Tom passes, Mary Margaret and Tom will be buried together at Grandview Cemetery in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The family would like to give special recognition and gratitude to the medical staff at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center for their exceptional dedication and loving care for Mary Margaret during her final days: Angela Watson, Crystal Hawkins, Arisely Pittman, Diane Valdez, Ashley Tetreault, Dan Janee White, and Jennifer Godwin.

As a tribute to Mary Margaret, in lieu of flowers, make a meal for a friend, help the poor, or offer your love to a stranger.

Friends and family may offer condolences at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.