Sylvia Story Campbell was born on March 21, 1922 in Appling County, Ga. to Warren Walton “W.W.” Story and Pally Nebraska Justice Story.
She grew up in Alma, Ga., one of six brothers and sisters. She was baptized into the Baptist faith in Alma and was an active member of the Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile where she and husband Jeff raised their family.
On Dec. 14, 1940, she married Jefferson Lee Campbell. From this union there were four children, Carl Gardner Campbell, Paul Wright Campbell, Samantha Campbell LaClair, and Ruth Campbell Williams.
She was active in the Eastern Star and the Lupus Foundation, and served as a docent in the Smithsonian while living in Washington, D.C. An old Story family log cabin resides in the Smithsonian's American History Museum, known as the country's attic, of which she was very proud. She was a volunteer for the Cancer Society and drove many special friends to and from their chemotherapy.
She and her husband were both active in Meals on Wheels for over 20 years and also enjoyed attending the Retired Federal Employees Association monthly meetings.
She was an avid and expert needle worker who hand stitched many needlepoint items from her original designs. She made each of her children a cathedral window coverlet, and also made a quilt for each child and grandchild. She taught needlepoint after she and her husband retired and moved from Atlanta to her hometown of Alma, Ga.
She traveled far and wide to hear the Southern Gospel Quartettes, whom she loved.
After her husband’s death in 1989, she moved back “home” to Alabama, living in Fairhope and then Mobile at The Orchard Retirement Home. The staff there was wonderful to her and we thank them and hospice for the excellent care and support they gave her and extended to us her family.
She was also preceded in death by daughter-in-law, Rita Campbell and two brothers Jacob and Josh Story.
Survivors include two sons Carl (Linda) Campbell; Paul Wright Campbell, two daughters, Samantha Campbell (Jerry) LaClair and Ruth Campbell (Robert) Williams; nine grandchildren, Keith (Susan) Campbell, Jeff (Lynn) Stebbins, David Stebbins, Lisa Stebbins (Alfred) Louis, Brandon (Elizabeth) Williams, Forrest (Lee) Williams, Campbell Williams, Jennifer Campbell Whitley and John Mark Campbell; five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, two sisters Sally Cole and Willene (Clarence) Bilbol; brother G.W. (Ola) Story.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, 2000 Marietta Blvd. N.W., Atlanta.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Lupus Foundation, Meals On Wheels or the Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by Gilmer Funeral Home, Atlanta.
