Mary McCampbell

Mary Stephen Holton McCampbell, 97, of Statesville, NC died peacefully with her loving family around her on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at the Gordon Hospice House. She was born on April 17, 1915 in Iredell County to William Sidney Holton, Sr. and Pearl Kesler Holton. She was a devoted wife to her husband, the late Paul Clayton McCampbell, Sr. She was an active leader and member of Providence United Methodist Church where she was also a sunday school teacher and choir member. She and her husband were the owner and proprietor of The Gem Shop in Highlands, NC for 28 years. In addition to her parents, Mary Stephen was preceded in death by her sisters, Winona Holton Benfield and Nelle Holton Benfield; her brothers, William Sidney Holton, Sr. and Luther L. "Buster" Holton; and her son, Paul Clayton McCampbell, Jr. and her daughter, Mary K McCampbell Overton. She is survived by one daughter, Harriet McCampbell Atkinson of Columbia, SC; six grandchildren: Kayren Green Rippe, Sandra Green Anderson, Gary Wayne Atkinson, Krista Atkinson Boyce, Tanya McCampbell Youngblood, and Stephany Atkinson Ferguson; 13 great grandchildren: Heather, Holly, Erika, Philip, Christopher, Amy, Kyle, Liam, Dylan, Grayden, Everette, Gavin, Annabelle; and two great great grandchildren: Emma Grace and Wyatt. Mary Stephen lived a long, active, full life touching the hearts of many people and always addressing the importance of family. She loved being with her brothers and sisters and bringing all their families together. She remembered and celebrated birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions with gifts, parties, delicious food, and love. She had a strong love for art, nature, animals, flowers, the outdoors, and most of all family events. Her yard was a wonderland of flowers, plants, and trees that she readily shared with others. She knelt by the beds of her young children each evening and listened to their prayers. She taught them right from wrong and set high standardsa�"always teaching them the importance of family. Her children and all her grandchildren remember Mamaw's bear hugs, happy greetings at the door, and the way she made each one feel so special. She will be greatly missed but leaves all of them with "Precious Memories." The family will receive friends from 6-8pm Sunday, February 10, 2013 at Nicholson Funeral Home. A funeral service to celebrate Mary Stephen's life will be held at 11 am Monday, February 11, 2013 at Providence United Methodist Church, 1273 Old Mocksville Road. The Reverend Ron Karriker will be officiating and the burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to Providence United Methodist Church or Gordon Hospice House in lieu of flowers. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.