Rome Tribune-Herald, Saturday, April 16, 1910

A Beautiful Life

One Who Knew and Loved Mrs. Mary Camp, Gives Interesting Sketch of Her Life and Character.

Died at her home near Rome, Georgia, on the morning of April 2, Mrs. Mary Camp, wife of Mr. James H. Camp, at the ripe old age of seventy- five years, lacking only a few days. Her maiden nane was Beatty. She was born in Walton county, Georgia, April 15, 1935[sic], lost her mother in early childhood, but was fortunate in securing a splendid woman for a step-mother, and was ever afterwards a staunch advocate of the many virtues and goodness of step- motherhood.
She was soundly converted and joined the Methodist church early in life, and ever remained a consistent and most beautiful Christian to the end. She was married to Mr. Jas. H. Camp in 1855 and ever stood by him in God-like love and loyalty, faithful in every detail and duty to the last. Seven children were born to them, three of whom died in infancy or early childhood, and preceded her to the better land.
Reared in ante-bellum days, under the old regime, she belonged to the old school of an ideal womanhood (that now seems so painfully passing away). She was wont and content to remain in her God-ordained realm and sphere, and be the uncrowned queen of her own home, ever administering to the happiness of her family and friends, and shaping the life and destiny of her dear ones. She was the very embodiment of Christian patience sunshine and forbearance, full of compassion and forgiveness, kind and gentle to all, meek and humble, as pure as the angels and as modest as a flower. As well-rounded and symmetrical woman, in life and character, she had no superiors but few equals.
All during the four years of the Civil war, while her husband like a gallant brave, was at the front facing shot and shell and spilling his life's blood for his country's cause, she stood stedfast at the home and helm, with other noble sisters of the Confederacy, and guided the steed that stirred the soil that fed and clothed Lee's army. It was she and the noble women of her kind that inspired the heroic boys in gray to go forth, even with all the odds against them, and contend for the righteous cause of their country, against the invading armies of the enemy, with matchless bravery and courage, that made the richest histor[sic] the world has ever known.
She was afflicted and almost bedridden for more than a year before her death, with a malady incurable at her age. All that could be done for her, by the aid of the best physicians and tender nurses. Indeed it was marvelously beautiful to observe the tender devotion, care and attention given her by her daughter, aided a good portion of the time by the gentle touch and tender hands of noble- hearted Christian friends. Indeed there never was more loyal, tender and beautiful devotion.
The deceased is survived by her husband, Mr. James H. Camp, her two sons, Mesrs. J.E. and Albert H. Camp, Mrs. Anna Hickman, all of Floyd county, and Mrs. W.F. Freeman, of Lexington, Ky., together with fifteen grand-children and two great-grandchildren, all of whom loved her devotedly and mourn her loss. She bore her suffering with great Christian fortitude, and an abiding faith in her own deep-seated conversion, to the last; spoke beautifully of it several times, while on her death bed, and often declared herself ready for the Master's Call. All during her own suffering she never faltered nor even waned in her love and devotion to her husband; often inquired where he was when out of her sight, and requested others to sit with him and cheer his lonely hours. Her warm words of sympathy and comfort to the writer in dark days of his own sorrow,coupled with his personal knowledge of her beautiful life, fully warrant the assertion that, "Language can weave no chaplet her brow was not worth to wear."
She marched with conscious step and unfaltering faith to the very last line, and as she saw the pearly gates swing ajar and heard the shout of welcome from the other side, while all the ransomed, redeemed of Heaven sang "Harvest Home", she caught the inspiration of the music and attempted to sing herself, with waning breath and feeble voice, as she crossed the last divide, "Palms of Victory; Crowns of Glory, I shall wear."
The burial services were conducted at the country home of Mr. J.H.Camp, by Drs. Jarrell and Nunnally. Both made appropriate and beautiful talks, but the remarks of Dr. G.A. Nunnally, a life-long friend, were beautiful indeed. He had known the deceased for more than fifty years, and it was touching and pathetic to hear that Godly man stand at her bier and extol her many virtues as he had seen and known her for more than half an hundred years. The songs were beautiful and appropriate, indeed, one of which, "There is rest for the weary," was by request of the deceased, during he last sickness. The abundant and beautiful floral offerings bore ample testimony of how she was loved and esteemed by many.
We are glad it was our fortune to have known her,and would love to emulate her beautiful life, which we commend to her weeping husband, children and friends, and bid them understand that she is not dead, only transplanted from this life of sorrow and care to to a home beyond the stars, where all is love and song and is a clime where Spring, with fadeless beauty, forever blooms.
One Who Knew and Loved

This page was last updated Saturday, 16-Nov-2013 09:08:34 MST