Pearl Campbell

Mrs. Campbell was my home ec teacher at Boynton Junior High School in 1960. I have just read her obituary in the Ithaca Journal and am amazed at all she had accomplished but not surprised. She is one teacher who I can remember quite clearly and some of the things she taught us in class I am still using today. For instance, much of my cooking instruction came from Mrs. Campbell. Some of the recipes we learned I brought home to my mother and she started using them. We also learned sewing which interested me so much that I was able to get further instruction outside of school. I thought she was a fantastic teacher and a true role model.

The staff of the Capital Area Council of Churches (the Rev. John U. Miller, Executive Director, and Kitt Jackson, Administrative Director)mourn the loss of Pearl Campbell, but we thank God for the life and witness of this extraordinary woman. Her legacy to the Council of Churches lives on in the monthly Peace and Justice Forum that she and her late husband Jim established. We are pleased to be able to honor them each year when we present the James and Pearl Campbell Peace and Justice Award to someone who exemplifies the kind of social justice activism that characterized both Pearl and Jim.

Pearl and her beloved Jim together again. Pearl and I worked together
on Capital Area Council of Churches
projects. After I left Albany I missed seeing Pearl for several years but we reconnected through Methodist Women's circles . I shall miss her.

The last time I saw Pearl Campbell
was at the Solidarity Committee
Labor Day picnic two years ago. When Pearl arrived she was greeted
by everyone as the activist celebrity she was.

Gene Damm

I met Pearl, not long after I moved to Albany in 1997, at the monthly meetings of the Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition. She was always feisty and outspoken, an "institution", and she was greatly missed when she retired to the nursing home in Saratoga Springs. Her commitment to worker rights and justice was exemplary.

I first knew Pearl through peace activities and she first invited me to join the Council of Churches Peace and Justice Forum and the board of the United Nations Association on which I served for many years. Pearl was very, very special to me and I was very pleased to see her in Washington Park within the last 2 or 3 years at, I believe, a Labour Day picnic. Sylvia Barnard

Sadly, I saw in the Chattanooga newspaper this morning that my dad's "Aunt Pearl" had passed. My dad is Gilbert Moon, Pearl's nephew. As a child I remember receiving gifts from Uncle Bernie and Aunt Pearl. They always sent little tokens from their many trips. I wish I could have been closer with Pearl and the Campbell family. I love what Pearl stood for in the world. I am all about peace and treating all people equal. I believe I must have a lot of the Campbell gene in me. I send my thoughts and prayers to the family. The world needs a lot more people like "Aunt Pearl"! Love, Kristi Moon-Quave

To the family of Dr. Pearl Campbell,
Dr. Campbell was a wonderful woman. I met her when I started work at the New York State Education Department in 1969. She was an inspiration to me as a youngster. I will always remember her. Fondly, Mrs. Mary Bates.

One of my fondest memories of Mrs. Campbell happened some 25 years ago. At that time, a little black girl knocked on her door to sell some little holes she had pasted on a piece of paper in a geometric design. Mrs. Campbell looked at the "artwork" carefully and asked the selling price. Surprised that she was even interested, the girl burst out fifteen cents. Mrs. Campbell purchased the artwork along with other pieces. I was that little girl and that was the first sale I had ever made. I am now the Practice Leader, concentrating in Sales and Marketing, for IT Executives at one of the largest recruiting firms in the United States. Last year I billed a record 200K in sales revenue. I dare say that from that day on I was lured to the thrill of Sales.

Mrs. Campbell was great as was her husband and children. I will always treasure the many hours I spent in their home as their next door neighbor. Their time and attention gave me insight into a different culture at a time when it was not as politically correct as it is today. I dare say it gave me the confidence I needed to relate to all people despite our cultural differences. It is a lesson that I have since passed down to my own children.

Mrs. Campbell you will be greatly missed, but your impact will be felt for many generations to come.

To My Dearest FAMILY; Some things I'd like to say...but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.

Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on. I need you here badly; you're part of my plan. There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you. And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight. God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on arth, and all those loving years because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all what God has planned. But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain, then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain." And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Jim and Pearl are irreplaceable, a true loss to so many of us. They held themselves and others to the highest moral standards, but with true Southern charm. I knew them at Calvary United Methodist in Albany. They are warrior angels now.

I first met Pearl when I was working at the United Methodist Society in Albany. She was such a sweet loving person. She was such an activist for our world. I will always remember her and I will miss her. She now is on God's side watching over us.