Camay Calloway Murphy

1927 - 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Camay Calloway Murphy, who peacefully left this world on November 12, 2024, at her residence in Havre De Grace, Maryland surrounded by family. Camay was born on January 15, 1927, in Harlem NY to Jazz icon Cab Calloway and Zelma Proctor. In her award-winning career as an educator and cultural advocate, Camay has worked tirelessly to bring the arts into her community, and her advocacy for social justice was renowned. She was also a deeply religious member of the Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Washington DC and later in life in Havre De Grace Maryland. As a recipient of the Harriet Tubman Award, a Tribute Tree to Harriet Tubman was planted in her honor in Havre De Grace. Her lifelong advocacy was only surpassed by her deep love for family and friends. After earning a B.A. from New York University in 1950, Camay was hired as a teacher at Burgundy Farm County Day School in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1960, Camay founded Camp Cal-Mar a summer camp for Washington DC youth, together with her first husband Booker T. Brooks, a WWII veteran and educator. She later spent two years as an educator at the Mayflower School in Ikenne, Nigeria, before returning to teach in Arlington, Virginia, in 1963. In 1968, Camay became a supervisor of Arlington Public Schools, a post she held for a decade. Camay later married John H. Murphy III, Executive and Editor of the Baltimore-Washington Afro-American (The Afro) one of the oldest operating black family owned newspapers in the United States. From 1978 to 1993, she was the principal at Ashlawn Elementary School. Under her leadership, the school was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for its outstanding standardized achievement scores, jazz program, and renowned arts program and was awarded at the White House under George H.W. Bush. Camay then moved to Baltimore in 1994 to work as a cultural development consultant at Coppin State College. It was there that she founded the Cab Calloway Jazz Institute and Museum, paying tribute to her famous father while also promoting music education. Camay's commitment to cultural arts led her to become the chairperson of Baltimore's Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center. She also served as vice chairperson of the Baltimore Jazz Heritage Foundation and was a member of several other musical, artistic and cultural organizations in the city. In 1999, Camay was appointed as commissioner of Baltimore City Public Schools' Board of Education. In her capacity as an administrator, she worked to improve resources and training for teachers in the arts. In 1996, Camay authored the children's book "Can a Coal Scuttle Fly?" illustrated by renowned Afro-Deco master Tom Miller, published by the Maryland Historical Society. She has also been a decades long member of the Pierians Foundation Inc. - dedicated to the purpose of promoting and encouraging the study and enjoyment of the fine arts. And has mentored countless young musicians and artists organizationally and personally through her many years of service. For her efforts to support arts education, Camay has received numerous awards and honors. For her 90th birthday celebration, she was awarded a Congressional Letter of Appreciation by Congressman Elijah Cummings for her exceptional work and leadership in Baltimore, MD. As a resident of Havre De Grace Md., Camay was instrumental in securing the City Council of Havre De Grace resolution approving a memorial for Ernest Burke, who served in the first African American Marine Unit in WWII and played in the Negro baseball leagues. She also spearheaded the commission of African American sculptor, Austen Brantley to fulfill the project's goal of a memorial sculpture of Burke. On June 26th, 2021, at the unveiling ceremony of the sculpture at the Millard Tydings Park in Havre De Grace, MD she was awarded a proclamation by the Governor of Maryland which recognized her many years of service in the advancement of Arts, Culture and Education in the State of Maryland. In April of 2024 she proudly accepted the first annual "Camay Service Award" presented by the Baltimore Renaissance Jazz Festival organization. She is survived by her sons, Christopher Brooks and wife Donna, Peter Brooks and wife Fatima, grandchildren Cochise Brooks and Ali Brooks, sisters Glenna James and Cecilia Calloway, and many beloved aunts, nieces, nephews, and friends. Camay was preceded in death by her husbands, John Murphy and Booker T. Brooks, father, Cabell Calloway, mother, Zelma Proctor Calloway, and brother, Dr. Ralph Fenderson. May she rest in eternal peace. Her funeral service "Lift Every Voice and Sing," will be held at Saint John's Episcopal Church, 114 North Union Avenue, Havre De Grace, Maryland, 21078, on Saturday, December 7th. The Service will be held in the sanctuary from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Along with flowers, contributions may be made to Saint John's Episcopal Church. Online condolences may be made to www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.