Mary Louise (Cook) Campbell

Mary was born in Hampton, Virginia to Earnest E. Cook and Waverly (Firman) Cook in the early spring of 1942. She went on to attend Hampton High School and graduated in 1960. Soon after she began a family with Michael, Donna, Curtis, and Darryl. She ensured all her children were taken care of, had what they needed (and a lot of what wasn't needed)

 Mary was a teachers Aid for over 15 years in Hampton. In conjunction with being a teacher's aid, she attended and graduated from Thomas Nelson Community College earing a 2 year certificate in Early Childhood Development. She continued to work with the children when she moved to Pelzer, SC in 1989 as a volunteer teacher's aid.

 Unfortunately she experienced the loss of two of her children during her lifetime Michael W. Hales passed January 27, 2023 and Donna L. Oltarzewski passed November 27, 2017. Mary lost other significant family members during her 82 years of life. Her Father (December 1991) and Mother (January 201 1) both passed leaving a big hole in her life. Mary's spouse Jerry C. Campbell passed January 6, 2006 and life wasn't the same afterwards. Her sister Sylvia J. Shattuck passed April 25, 2013.

 Mary is survived by two of her sons, Curtis E. Hales of Hampton, VA and Darryl K. Hales of Pelzer, SC., two sisters Sandra E. Creasman and husband Carroll of Newport News, VA and Janice L. Bee and husband Stephen of Poquoson, VA. Mary had three grandchildren, Jesse L. Hales of Leesburg, VA, Zachary K. Hales of Pelzer, SC, and Kandyce C. (Hales) Carver and husband Jason of Pickens, SC. She was blessed to have one precious great Granddaughter Alayna M. Carver of Pickens, SC. Mary had several nieces, nephews which she loved and cared about. Although some things were not always said, those feelings were in her heart.

Although technically Laura Anderson and family were not kin, the closeness Mary and Laura shared was usually thicker than blood. Through good and bad, happy or sad, sickness or health Mary and Laura were sisters and that is a special bond. Most people did not know Mary was a bowler. She was in a bowling league for many years and was an above average bowler. She received many awards, patches, and trophies (this was long before participation trophies; you had to earn the awards). She won the high score, high score average, and many others. She really enjoyed the bowling alley and the camaraderie that went with the league. She enjoyed football and could hold a conversation about the game. She didn't have a favorite team overall, but she would root for the teams of her kids. The only team she did not care for was that team in Texas; we all know who that is. Mary loved NASCAR. She was a huge Dale Earnhardt fan before his passing. She watched just about every race and would critique the drivers. But her favorite thing was going to Langley Speedway on Wednesday nights to watch the races live in person. She liked the racing, but she liked that her and Michael would spend time together. Mary's saying was, don't care who wins, I just hope it's a good race, game"

She attended just about every baseball game that "The Boys" played in. As life changes, she attended a lot of the Lawnmower Races that Michael was part of.

Mary was a big fan of sports. Now she can go for the perfect 300. A special recognition has to be given to Mary's faithful companion of over 9 years, Harry. Harry the larger than life cat was a source of entertainment and sometimes frustration for her. His antics were the topic of conversations and laughter.

A celebration of life will be held at Claytor Rollins Funeral Home on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00PM.

Arrangements and heartfelt guidance through Claytor Rollins Funeral Home. 

Online condolences to claytorrollins.com.

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