Frances Camden

Frances Waddell Camden Frances Eloise Waddell Camden, 91, went to her heavenly home on January 16, 2012. She had been residing at Sunnyside Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, Virginia from 2009 until the time of her death. She was the eighth of nine children of the late Samuel Thomas Waddell, Jr. and Myrtle Thelma Edwards Waddell of Danville, VA. Preceding her in death were 7 siblings, Virginia Katherine Chappell, Mabel Goodson, Mildred Shreve, Inez Gunn, Florence Waddell, Samuel T. Waddell and Thomas Waddell. Mrs. Camden is survived by one sister, Doris Smith of Durham, NC. Mrs. Camden was born on December 30, 1920 in South Boston, Virginia though she spent her young life growing up in Danville, Virginia. She graduated valedictorian at Chatham High School in 1939, before she continued her education at Madison College in Harrisonburg, Virginia. While in attend- ance at Madison, she was president of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha and was a member of the women's basketball team. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in 1943. On August 7, 1943 she married Aubrey Snead Camden and resided in Richmond, Virginia from 1943-1946. Dr. and Mrs. Camden spent a short time in Chatham, Virginia from 1946-1952 before moving to Elkton, Virginia. Fran enjoyed life in this community from 1952 until 1995. After a brief time in Charlottesville, She re- turned to the Shenandoah Valley and lived in Harrisonburg.

Mrs. Camden was a life member of the Elkton Parent Teacher Association, a life member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, a life member of the Women of Presbyterian Church, USA and an Elder in the Elkton Presbyterian Church. She was also a charter member of the Elkton Area United Service organization that began in 1972 and had the Food Pantry building of the EAUS named in her honor in 1995. Mrs. Camden was preceded in death by her husband on December 25, 1987, and is survived by five children - son and daughter-in-law, Rodney & Betty Camden of Lynchburg, VA, daughter and son-in-law, J.J. & David Updike of Harrisonburg, VA, daughter and son-in-law Franci & Terry Edwards of Port Republic, VA, son and daughter-in-law Richard & Sharon Camden of Pompano Beach, FL, daughter and son-in-law Bobbi & Chris Bogaev of San Antonio, TX. She is survived by 9 grandchildren - Jaime Updike Shaw of Charlotte, NC, Jim Camden of Lynchburg, VA, David Camden and wife Elizabeth of Cambridge, MA, Kristen Edwards and Megan Edwards of Port Republic, VA, Alex Bogaev and Nick Bogaev of San Antonio, TX, Eric Camden and Madison Camden of Pompano Beach, FL. She is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Hannah Shaw of Charlotte, NC. A private burial will be held on Thursday, January 19th at 3:00 pm in Chatham, VA. A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, January 20th at 11:00am at Elkton Presbyterian Church with Reverend Anne Ross officiating. Family will receive friends following this service at in the Church Fellowship Hall. Friends are also welcomed to call on the family at the home of Franci Edwards or J.J. Updike. In lieu of flowers, Fran had requested that memorial contributions be made to EAUS, P.O. Box 383, Elkton, VA 22827 or Elkton Presbyterian Church, 104 Ashby Ave, Elkton, VA 22827. Fran's quote on her life - "God has always been an important part of my life. His steadfast love and grace has helped me through the troubled times. He has been there with many joys and blessings. The Lord gave me forty-four years of marriage to a good and talented man, five wonderful children, five great in-law children, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a family of good health, love for one another, and willingness to help one another and others. My greatest joys have been giving of myself and time to my family, working in the church and helping other people. I loved my husband and he knew he was the only man in my life. I love all my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild and I know that they love me."