FRANCES CAMPBELL - February 6, 2008

Create Your Own

FRANCES RUTH CAMPBELL, age 86, went into the arms of her Lord on Wednesday, February 6, 2008.

She was born on June 26, 1921 in Swan Pond, Kentucky to parents Edward and Maude Oldham. She spent her childhood years in Creelsboro, Kentucky, a small rural community on the Green River where her father worked as a captain on a river boat. She attended and received her High School Diploma from Jamestown High School in Russell County, Kentucky in 1942.

Soon after high school, she enlisted in the United States Women’s Army Corps in February 1943, proudly serving her country until July 1944.

She met her husband while stationed at Tallahassee, Florida and married him on December 1, 1943 beginning a thirty-one year adventure as a United States Army Sergeant’s and later Air Force officer’s wife.

She had a passion for cooking and sewing (which her daughter did not inherit). She traveled extensively with her husband within the United States and in post-war Europe before and after his retirement from the United States Air Force.

She was active in numerous on-base Air Force volunteer family support organizations and an active member of the Eastern Star. She was named an honorary Kentucky Colonel for her community activities in Somerset, Kentucky where she and her husband settled after his retirement.

They moved to San Antonio in March 2001 and lived at Air Force Village I.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Hollis and her son, Frederick Campbell. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Lloyd W. Campbell; daughter, Gloria Gallagher and husband Daniel. She was the proud grand mother to 5 grandchildren, Allison, Mark, Kyle, Kelly and David. Also surviving are 9 great-grandchildren, Stephen, Cole, Mason, Chase, Makenna, Hanul, Dylan, Tony and Summer and many many life long friends.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and patriot and a true hero of our great nation. Fran is one of the solid people who made this country what it is. I know you will be missed and I want to thank you for your service and your love to all. May you rest in God’s Love forever.

A graveside service was held at 9:45 A.M. Monday, February 11, 2008 at Fort Sam National Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frances may be made to the Air Force Village Foundation, Widows Fund, 5100 John D. Ryan Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78245 or the charity of your choice. Please visit www.mem.com for an online memorial and tributes. Sunset Northwest Funeral Home.Published in the Express-News on 2/8/2008.

A Friend of my mom's at Air Force Village wrote the following Poem:

Memorial Tribute to Fran Campbell

Slightly windy, threatening raindrops
Just as I watched Gary place the many
Walkers on the bus for those who are
Unable to walk alone. One by one we
Stepped up, found a seat. Some of us
Laughed nervously while others busied
Themselves trying to find two ends
for fastening the seat belts.
Just over twenty of us, honoring this
Day, your final one, in the only way
We knew how.

Bill was resplendent in his uniform,
Gloria held his arm steering him to
Front row seating for your family.
Most of us stood beneath the portico
There amid the thousands of small
Grey - markers at Ft. Sam Houston's cemetery.
We were prepared for the ceremonial
Volley of shots, then quietly we
Observed as two young soldiers wearing
White gloves, lifted the American
Flag from your casket and began to
Carefully fold it with honor and
Tradition. A man told us the story
Of each fold, and why it ends up
In a tri-corner shape with three
White stars and no red showing.

My thoughts were: that flag symbolizes
Fran's life spent as a Wac and as a wife
Of an Air Force officer. Each fold is
For the love she held for each of her
Children, grandchildren and great
Grandchildren. The stars symbolized
Her beautiful blue eyes and the smiles
We will all miss but never forget.
This soft sad moment brought us all
Together in prayer and loving memories
Of this lovely warm-hearted woman
Who was a shining example as a wife
And a mother, friend and the Champion
Maker of pineapple upside down cakes
Shared with her Air Force Village friends.

by Chloe Brown