Theobell Campbell

Theobell Campbell, 77, a longtime resident of, Parsons, Kan., and a music teacher, died at 5 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at the Elmhaven East Nursing Home in Parsons, following a lengthy period of failing health. She was born Jan. 9, 1931, in Sarcoxie, Mo., to Roy T. and Cora A. (Guinn) Chandler. She graduated from Sarcoxie High School in 1949. Later she attended and graduated from Drury College in Springfield and earned a masters degree from Pittsburg State University. She had taken additional hours at Southwest Missouri University in Springfield, and at the University of Kentucky in Louisville and at Wichita State University.She taught four years in the towns of Hurley, Diamond, and Sarcoxie, in Missouri before coming to Parsons in 1957, to teach music in the elementary schools. She retired in 1992. For 62 years, starting as a young girl, she taught private lessons and continued teaching in the studio at her home after retiring from the school system. Mrs. Campbell was a member of the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs and had served in various offices, including president, in the organization. She had been a member on the local, state and national levels of the National Education Association. For many years she sponsored the Elementary and Junior Musical Art Clubs. In 1987 she was named to the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in Dodge City. She was an active member of the Friendship Baptist Church for all of her years in Parsons and had been in charge of the music program at the church for over 50 years. She taught Sunday School and was active in the Women's Missionary Society. She was a member of the Round Table Club and for many years was a board member of the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony at Eureka Springs, Ark. On June 6, 1954 she and Bob Campbell were married in Sarcoxie. They celebrated their golden anniversary in 2004. He survives of the home. She is survived by brothers-in-law and sisters- in- law, Dr. Ralph and Ruth Campbell, Charlotte, N.C., Ida Campbell Dallas, Texas, Fred and Opal Campbell, Carthage, Mo., Bruce and Sue Campbell, Fresno, Calif; She is also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews. Her parents; and a brother-in-law, Talmadge Campbell, preceded her in death. A Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons, with Rev. Ron Pracht officiating. Burial will be later at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. Memorials are suggested to either the Sarcoxie R-2 Schools Music Program or to the Parsons Educational Foundation to be used for music in the Parsons schools. These may be left at or sent to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, Kan. 67357.