Obituary of Campbell Irene

Mrs. Irene Campbell went home to be with her Lord and Savior the morning of January 16, 2009 at University Medical Center with her husband Max by her side. Though a woman of many earthly talents, her life purpose was that of wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Tenderhearted and kind, intelligent and optimistic, she loved the Lord and served Him daily. Irene was born on December 29, 1934 in West Virginia to Clydia and Marion Jackson. Her father was a coal miner and Irene grew up in the mountains of West Virginia with her five sisters. She was raised in a Christian home which laid the foundation of her faith. She moved to Cleveland OH when she was a young lady and worked as a secretary at White Motor Corporation. She married Max in 1954. In 1960, she gave birth to their first son John and in 1962 to their second son, Jeffery Mark. Jeff was born with a heart defect that was too challenging for pediatric cardiac surgery at that time. A beautiful little blue-eyed boy, he tragically died at the age of two from pneumonia related to his heart defect. Jeff can now once again feel the soft touch of his mother's hand, praise God. Though most of her adult life was spent as a homemaker, Irene was the executive secretary to the Mayor of Brunswick OH. The family moved to Tempe AZ in 1971 before eventually moving to Lebanon TN in 1986. Irene was a wonderful mother, shepherding her son through various church and school activities, Cub Scouts, Little League baseball, and serving as "secretary" for countless term papers in college. She was a passionate animal lover and enjoyed the company of several small pooches throughout her life. Much to Max's chagrin, Irene would name the cattle they raised on their farm and would often hand-feed them treats. She was a doll collector who spent many hours with her mother-in-law, Rosa, making clothes for her dolls. Irene was an active member of the Cedar Creek Baptist Church. Irene is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years and life-long friend Max, her son John and his wife Gina and their children Jack Henry and Eva Marie. Irene's sisters share in our loss which include Ruth Browning, Maxine Crawford, Ethel Whitted and her husband Dwayne, as well as Georgia Marshall and her husband Larry. Irene is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Roy and Dorothy Campbell, and her niece Judy Karpis of Miami Springs FL. Irene's mother-in-law and close friend, Mrs. Rosa Campbell, was recently called home on November 13, 2008 at the age of 101. Irene's oldest sister Jane Blankenship passed away in 2007. The chapel service, officiated by Pastor Terry Fesler and Pastor John Petree, will be held at Sellars Funeral Home on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 4 p.m. Visitation begins Sunday at 2 p.m. Mrs. Campbell will be transported to eastern Tennessee on January 19, 2009 and she will be laid to rest in the family cemetery on the Campbell farm in Sevierville. The graveside service will be officiated by Pastor Ben Whitted, a lifelong friend of Max. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Wilson County American Cancer Association. Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.