Florence Juanita Campbell's Obituary
FLORENCE JUANITA CAMPBELL “JUANITA”. Born in Waldenburg, Arkansas on January 27th to Jim and Eathyl Rennicke but they moved to Memphis, Tennessee while still a young girl. Juanita went to Treadwell Junior High and High School in Memphis, Tennessee and then remained a lifelong Memphian. She was an active student at Treadwell especially in cheerleading and remained close to many of her high school friends throughout her adult life. After graduation she married James W. (“Jim”) Campbell, Jr. and they were happily married for 56 years and considered her husband and family her biggest joy in life after her faith in God. As a young mother and housewife she was active in Jaycettes and President of their organization as well as her husband Jim serving as President of the Jaycees. They were a formidable team as young adults. They enjoyed many conventions and travels with their Jaycee friends during their early years of marriage. While a young bride, Juanita wrote an essay about being a loving wife and mother and was selected as “Homemaker of the Year” by the local newspaper. Ms. Campbell was a Certificate Holder of the Mid South Fair and served on the Board of Directors for over forty years. The Mid South Fair Cheerleading Contest was started by Ms. Campbell and a few other women in the early 60’s during the week of the Mid South Fair to offer cheerleading squads a chance to compete before there were any national competitions. These women were the pioneers for the national competitions for cheerleaders that now dominate the cheerleading and dance world. She remained the Chairman of the Cheerleader Contest until her daughters Terri and Toni were on the Treadwell Junior High squad in 1967 and she felt it appropriate to step back and let others lead the contest. She was ecstatic when she attended the UCA National High School Championship in Orlando when her granddaughter Casey’s squad at Bolton High School won first place. When all of her children followed their parents’ footsteps and also attended Treadwell Mr. and Mrs. Campbell founded the Treadwell Booster Club and devoted many hours to its success in the 70’s to support the athletic programs in which her daughters and her son Trip were a part. Ms. Campbell was a tireless worker for the Mid South Fair during her forty years of involvement including the Social Committee, Miss Mid South Fair, Miss Youth Personality, Pom Pom Dance Committee and Honoree of the Day. Ms. Campbell was a Legal Administrator for several law firms in Memphis and worked for Stanley M. Huggins and Associates at the time of her retirement. She was active with the Association of Legal Administrators and served as one of their officers. While working with Stan Huggins at his urging she attended and became a graduate of the Mid South School of Banking and enjoyed the challenges of working in banking law and law firm administration. Ms. Campbell grew up at Coleman Avenue Church of Christ and her family was a charter member of Macon Road Church of Christ. Upon moving to Cordova her husband and she became members of Great Oaks Church of Christ of which she was a member at the time of her death. Ms. Campbell was always a bible schoolteacher and was a supervisor of the Primary department of the Sunday school at both Macon Road and Great Oaks. She wrote much of the literature that was taught in the primary department for the bible school at both churches and was loved by many of her bible students. Her wonderful Christian example influenced her husband, children and grandchildren to always follow the Lord. After retirement she helped her husband with the Conference USA Football Officials Organization serving as the secretary to the organization and assisted at many of the events held locally for Conference USA. Ms. Campbell was an avid University of Memphis football and basketball fan. They enjoyed season tickets for many years but even watched the games after she was confined to home. She was a member of a Bunco group of high school friends that met monthly immediately after they graduated from Treadwell High School in 1951 and remained close friends and confidantes with all of them until her illness. After working with the Jaycettes a group of many of her friends from the organization formed their own new club, the “Do Nothings” Club which met monthly for lunch to remain close but do nothing but enjoy each other’s company and conversation. Ms. Campbell enjoyed travelling with family and friends to many places including New Orleans, New York, Boston, Alaska, Hawaii, Ireland, France, Cabo San Lucas but especially to Destin, Florida. Whether with her husband, children, grandchildren or friends she was always ready to be at the beach. Ms. Campbell is survived by her husband Jim Campbell, and children Terri Arnett (Rick), Toni Parker (Greg), and Trip Campbell (“Cindy”). She was grandmother or “Mimi” to Michael Jaynes (“Melissa”), Patrick Jaynes, Toni Michelle Jaynes, Casey Campbell, Whit Campbell, Abby Parker, Shelby Parker, and Richard Arnett and great-grandmother to Lexy Jaynes and Kaelyn Jaynes. She is also survived by her only sister, Kay Janes (Darrell) and brother-in-law Ted Campbell (Audie). Ms. Campbell’s nieces and nephews, Carla Janes, Angie Shanklin (Paul), David Janes and Caroline Wright (Casey) will miss their Aunt Nita. The family is especially grateful to her caregivers Leola and Phyllis who are jewels on this earth and also to her wonderful hospice nurse, Carol. The family is grateful for the caring hands of Dr. Arthur Franklin and Donna for their medical care but much more their loving friendship to the family. Memorials are asked to be directed to Baptist Trinity Hospice House or to Great Oaks Church of Christ. Juanita Campbell was a beautiful, thoughtful, kind and intelligent woman who was a leader by example in both her faith in God and her strength of spirit to both family and friends during her illness.Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, with visitation on Tuesday evening from 5-8 p.m.Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery (901)767-8930 www.memorialparkonline.com
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