I particularly remember how kind Mrs. Campbell was to me during the times I worked at the Newton County News in 1977-78 and from 1980-82, and pasted up the paper at the Daily office.
Mrs. Campbell was the last of a legendary group of reporters who worked at the Daily in those years, including Harlan Stark and Bill Ball.
Even after her reporting and editing days were over, Mrs. Campbell remained a welcome part of the Daily, continuing to write a column.
The following obituary is from Clark Funeral Home.
Mary Alice Campbell, 91, of Springfield, MO, passed away Feb. 25, 2014.
She was born July 18, 1922 to John and Ida (Taylor) Senior and spent most of her childhood in Arkansas City, Kansas. After moving to Neosho, MO in 1937, she met and married the love of her life, Virgil, on Sept. 23, 1939. They celebrated their 70th Anniversary in 2009 with their family and Mary Alice was at his side when he passed away April 26, 2010.
She was the People and Living Editor of the Neosho Daily News, a job she truly loved. She served as president of Missouri Press Women and received over 40 state and national awards. She loved her ‘Daily News Family’ and continued writing a recipe and food column after her retirement in 1984. She often said, ‘Everyone has a story’, she loved hearing and writing their stories and never met a stranger.
She was involved in many civic, social, volunteer and church organization while in Neosho. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Neosho over 70 years and served as Elder Emeritus. In 2007, Mary Alice and Virgil moved to Springfield, MO to make their homes with their daughter, Susan Carter. As they drove away from their home of more than 50 years, she said she would miss her friends, but that she was ready for a new adventure.
After moving, she became a volunteer at Cox Walnut Lawn Hospital, making many new friends and she became known as the ‘Cookie Lady’, assisting on the rehabilitation unit on cookie making day. She loved travel and ‘adventures’ and enjoyed trips to Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. She spent her 80th birthday white water rafting in Glacier National Park. Her mind was sharp to the very end; she enjoyed playing cards and won a game of gin rummy with her daughter only hours before she peacefully passed away. She only said, ‘don’t be sad when I die, I had a wonderful life and I’m ready to be with Virgil’. She always had a smile, quick wit and a twinkle in her pretty blue eyes. She was lo ved by her family and many friends and will be missed, but fond memories last forever.
She is preceded in death by Virgil, her parents and sister. She is survived by sons, Fred (Sharron) Campbell, Shawnee, KS; Mike (Frances) Campbell, Wylie, TX and daughter, Susan Carter, Springfield, MO; 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Clark Chapel of Memories, Neosho, Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., with the chapel service scheduled for 2 p.m.
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