Margaret Virginia Campbell

Her Entrance

Margaret Virginia Campbell was born on March 4, 1930 in Wilmington, Delaware to the late Rowena Jones and James Campbell. She was the Step-daughter of Margaret Smith. Margaret was known to many as Babe’, Old Buddy, “The Rock”, Sister Campbell, That little Lady, Miss Margaret, Little Margaret, Mom and Little Grand-Mom.

Her Departure

On December 11, 2023 in Christiana Hospital (Wilmington) Margaret transitioned peacefully into God's open arms calling her home his faithful servant.  She was surrounded by her loving family. She never complained nor uttered a mumbling word.  She knew and kept the faith because she knew that God was carrying her. She was Loved our Queen and Strong Matriarch.

Early Life of A Growing Queen

Margaret received her education through Delaware public school system.  At an early age of 13 she left school and began to work as a domestic worker to help provide for her family.  She worked for numerous families : The Papastavros, Burr Family, Harmon Family, Renzi Family, Wolfe Family, Ms. Ann Sutton, Ms. Catherine McClauley, Ms. Joan Merkel, Ms. Anne Lyons, Ms. Peggy Tigue. She worked for all of these families weekly everyone was assigned a day.  Some of the Families even had dinner parties in the evening, and you find her right there assisting.  She helped in raising their children, they Loved Margaret! They offered to take her on trips, but if it consisted of flying it was NO thank you.

The Christian

Margaret accepted Jesus Christ at a very young age. She became a member of St. Paul’s U.A.M.E. Church (11th Street) and has been an active member for over 70 plus years. Margaret would tell you, I’m not leaving St. Paul’s.  Margaret served on a many auxiliaries in the church.  She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir, St. Paul Specials, U.A.M.E. Conference Choir, Trustee Board, (Known as a seasoned trustee) to help new trustee members know about the duties of a true Trustee, Steward Board, Busy Bee’s. She was the church Custodian for 13 years, security team and jumping right in to work in the kitchen. You would find her washing dishes and clearing out the dining room.

When she could no longer attend church service in person, she would listen to the service on the telephone, as well as Bible study. Margaret also use to attend Bible study at New Mount Olive Baptist Church on Wednesday morning. She loved the Lord. Her favorite song is “Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine” her favorite part “Washed in His Blood”. She would always say “You have to wait on the Lord” and just have to pray.  She knew with the Lord on her side that she could conquer anything.  Her faith in Jesus gave her the assurance that she would make it.  She would say don’t worry about it, pray about it and leave it with the Lord, he will handle it. It would be nothing for her to say I pray for my family all the time I thank God for all of them.

Favorite things to Do

Margaret loved to cooking and baking she was famous for her pineapple upside down cake, cheesecakes, banana bread and Christmas cookies (everyone had their individual package and tin can). She loved her many plants and gardening in the backyard. She loved reading the News Journal, watching “Jeopardy”, working crossword puzzles and playing Bingo.

She loved traveling with the Senior Citizens of the church (with Naomi Black) to places like Cowtown, Shady Maple Smorgasbord, Farmers Markets, Dollar Stores and Stage plays.

She even had a table set up at the Brandywine Village Farmers Market with cakes, cookies, seafood salad, 7 up cake, mini cheesecakes, pineapple upside down cake for sale.

A Good Life – Psalms 27: 1-14KJV

God had truly favored Margaret and kept her here to be that faithful servant and do God’s work. God seen that Margaret was 93 years old & tired and God heard her saying her favorite bible verse.

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And he shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Lasting Memories

Margaret was loving, but Stern, resilient, wise, compassionate, fierce and strong because of all her life experience and her Faith in God.

Even after Margaret had retired at (65-70 yr old) she still wanted a part-time job. She would say Sophia a Gentleman told me that there is a job board up in the City County building for Seniors. I need you to go down there and find me a job. I’m saying to her Mom you don’t need a job, and want to go back to work now because these employers are micro-managing and they like to be over you while you working. Her words to that is they don’t know me, I can work circles around them. All I could do was laugh and the next day I had to fib (lie) to my grandmother (In which I never did) and told her they removed that board.

Margaret would enter her cheesecakes in the church bake off contest

My mother one day out of the clear blue sky asked me when are you going to the grocery store to get my baking items. See she hasn’t been cooking for a long while, so I question her what items, she preceded to tell me you know it is that time of the year and I have to get this cheesecake made for Reverend Doctorate Debbie Matthews she will be expecting it. This was every Christmas and a must.

My Great Grandmother was my original best friend. We would spend hours talking, laughing and watching her favorites: Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Her laugh and smell of freshly baked goods are sorely missed. “MOM” didn’t drive, but she’s flying around Heaven.  Love Ray

Margaret V. Campbell was preceded in death by her Parents, Step-Mother, 2 Sisters: Shirley Jones and Winifred (Jean) Anderson, 1 Brother: James (Jimmy) Miles, 1 Niece : Emma Mae Jones, 3 Nephews: John Jr., Eric Lewis and Darryl

She leaves to cherish her memory: Loving Daughter Ethel L. Campbell, 2 Grandchildren: Sophia L. Mason-Deputy(John) and Richard T. Mason (Nancy), 4 Great Grandchildren:  Ray, Lamar, Brittney and Rikki Mason, and 5 Great Great Grandchildren: Fallon, Quadir, Micah, Austin and Alaya, 1 Sister: Mary Guy, 3 Nieces: Michele Southerland (James), Diamita Allen (Dave) and Detra Anderson

Lifetime Devoted Friends: Special Friend the (late) Christine Holloman, Aunt Louise Carn-Dickerson and Geraldine Dennis

Celebration of her life will be held:

Thursday December 28, 2023 at 11 am. Viewing 9-10:45 am from St. Paul UAME Church, 3114 N. Market Street, Wilm., DE 19802. Interment, Riverview Cemetery.