Flora M. Campbell's Obituary
Flora M. Campbell
8/29/1926 - 9/1/2011
Flora Marie (Merriman) Campbell, a self-described South Tacoma Girl, passed away peacefully at Franciscan Hospice House on September 1, 2011, at age 85. Born and raised in Tacoma, Flora attended several area schools, culminating in her graduation from Lincoln High School in 1944. As a teenager Flora worked at Ludwig's drug store on South Tacoma Way, learning retail skills she would use at various shops in downtown Tacoma, eventually securing employment with J.C. Penney Co., where she worked for many years, both in Washington and California. While her early years were often difficult, she faced every challenge with a can-do attitude, developing her motto "do something, even if it's wrong." After a number of years in California, where Flora raised her first daughter (Georgia Garner Williams), she returned to Tacoma. Mutual friends and enjoyment of Tacoma's jazz club scene resulted in the beginning of a very different life. Flora and Howard Campbell were married in 1963, enjoying 48 years together. Howard's employment, first with the U.S. Air Force and later in the financial industry, allowed Flora time to pursue hobbies, along with being an involved parent. She was a member of NCO Wives Club and volunteered with the Red Cross and March of Dimes. Flora was active in Clover Park schools as a PTA member and classroom helper/nurses aide. Flora was also a lifelong United Methodist, participating as a lay member to Annual Conference, as a Lay Speaker (trainer), and as a food bank volunteer. She was a self-taught genealogist, sharing her knowledge as a course instructor at Clover Park Technical College. An avid reader, writer, and traveler, Flora volunteered as a Kid Reach tutor, was an active member of All My Somedays writers group, and enjoyed all her travels from Mississippi in 1964 to annual treks to Arizona for Spring Training (with a few "Grand European" tours in the middle). Flora is survived by her husband Howard and daughter Bethene, as well as siblings Harold Ponther and Doris Arfman and cousin Winona Grear. A private interment will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery. The memorial service will be at the United Methodist Church at Lakewood on Sunday, September 11th, 2011 at 3:00 pm. Donations in honor of Flora may be made to Franciscan Hospice House, the Lakes Area FISH Food Bank, United Methodist Committee on Relief, or other charitable organizations. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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