Ila Campbell

Maggie Valley-Ila Green Campbell, age 92, of 240 Caldwell Hollow Road died Friday, August 20, 2004 at Silver Bluff Nursing Home. This community lost an outstanding woman when she left us to go home to the Lord. Ila Seay Green was born in Haywood County on June 6, 1912, the fourth child of the late James I. and Florence Cates Green. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a brother and two sisters and her husband, Fred Y. Campbell, who died in 1978, who was a former sheriff of Haywood County. She was loved and respected by all who knew this "classy" southern lady. Ila grew up to be an accomplished businesswoman, a talented musician, a generous friend, a loving family member, and most of all a true Christian in every sense of the word. She was a staunch supporter of her Maggie Methodist church and its pastors and its members. Ila married Fred Young Campbell on January 27, 1939. They established their home in Hazelwood, where Ila worked for Unagusta Manufacturing until 1951 when she went to work at Lake Junaluska Methodist Assembly where she remained until retirement in 1974. During her tenure at the assembly, she served as assistant to the superintendent, assistant treasurer, and as a business manager. Ila held many positions in her community including a four-year term on the Conservation and Development Board, ten years as vice chairman of the Haywood Democrats Executive Committee, president of Democratic Women's Organization, president of both VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, president district director, and state corresponding secretary for Business and Professional Women's Organization. She served as Director of the Waynesville Centennial Committee that brought wonderful productions to the community. She was a Trustee for Haywood Community College and was active in the United Way Fund for several years. She also was treasurer of Interpreter's House and International Prayer Fellowship. Ila was the recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award five times and was listed in Who's Who of American Women twice. Although she had none of her own, Ila loved children, especially her beloved "Campbell" children: Van Campbell McKaughan, David McKaughan, Davie Campbell, Ellen "Frankie" Freeman, Jimmie Fisher, Bart Campbell, Betty Joe Campbell Beasley. The children of Maggie Methodist Church could always be sure to find a "goodie" in Miss Ila's purse as they stopped to say "hello" on Sunday morning. After a thirteen-month try at life in California, Ila and Dot returned to her beautiful North Carolina. Though she loved being near her sister, Emma, and her family, she just didn't like California. For over a year, Ila and sister, Dot, have lived with and been lovingly cared for by the special Sutton sisters, Betty Ruth Smith and Peggy Martin. They have been God's angels here on earth. Ila's entire family is so very grateful to them. Left here in sadness are her sisters, Emma O'Malley and Dorothy Fields; her niece, Colleen Simms; niece-in-law, Peg O'Malley; great nieces and nephews, Michael O'Malley and his wife, Jaime, Patrick O'Malley, Steven Simms, Linda Phillips and her husband, Bobby, Casey Braun and her husband, Larry, Megan McKean and her husband, Mark; great-great nieces and nephews, Kelly O'Malley Karr, Matthew Fairband and his wife, Sandi, Timothy O'Malley, Kristen Root and her husband, Todd, Wyatt McKean and Conner McKean; great-great-great nephew and nieces Brandt Karr, Brinley Fairband and Gracyn Fairband; and one great-great-great-great nephew, Colin Karr. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 23, 2004 at Maggie United Methodist Church with Reverend Jeremy Troxler, Reverend Erma Bond, and Reverend Rayvon White officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Wells Funeral Homes and Cremation Services of Waynesville. At other times, the family will be at the home of Peggy Martin, 240 Caldwell Hollow Road, Maggie Valley. Flowers are appreciated and memorials may also be made to Maggie United Methodist Church, 4192 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 or Haywood County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 931, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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