Juanita Camp

Nita Beth Camp died peacefully on April 11, 2007, at the Hospice of East Texas, in Tyler, Texas, with her family at her side, after an heroic decades-long battle with breast cancer. Nita Beth never stopped being an encouragement and inspiration to all cancer survivors, especially those with breast cancer. Nita Beth was born in Houston, Texas September 13, 1940 to the late Sam and Lottie Farquhar. She graduated from Milby High School in Houston, and attended Sam Houston State University where she became a member of Delta Zeta sorority. She was a graduate of the University of Houston (B.S. 1962) and The University of Texas at Tyler (M.Ed. 1999). She married her husband of nearly 47 years, Thomas Edward Camp, formerly of Elkhart, Texas in 1960. In 1968, Nita Beth and Tom, who worked in management in the oil service business, began a nearly nine-year odyssey of traveling the world and living on 3 continents and 4 countries. Nita Beth raised her children in these countries, facing the challenges unique to each, and educating her children in world cultures, as well as all aspects of the fine arts along the way. Teaching was Nita Beth's passion and her true calling in life. She spent 20 years as a classroom teacher of science in Houston and Missouri City, Texas, Shreveport, La, and Whitehouse, Texas. The last 11 years of her working career were devoted to assisting the science and math teachers of the 96 school districts of Region VII in East Texas. In 1986, Nita Beth and Tom returned to East Texas to finish out their working years and retire. A lifelong Episcopalian, Nita Beth was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Tyler, where she served on the vestry for two terms, was a member of Daughters of the King and the choir. Nita Beth is survived by her husband, Tom, her son Thomas E. Camp II, and his wife, Peggy; her daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Camp-Hoffman and husband William Hoffman, III; and her son, Michael T. Camp. She is also survived by her sisters: Sammie Valenti, and husband, Ray; Marilyn Liles and husband, Kin; and Allyson Hoover and husband, Sid. Nita Beth is also survived by five grandchildren: Christy Camp, Allyson Camp, Amy Camp, Andrew Camp, and Stephen Camp, and several nieces and nephews. Nita Beth is grateful to and thankful for "PawPaw", who has been her husband, traveling companion, and tireless caregiver. Nita Beth and her family wish offer their deep thanks and appreciation to Dr. Svetislava Vukelja and Dr. Gary Kimmel and the staff of Tyler Cancer Center for their ceaseless and compassionate care over the past 10 years. Visitation will be at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, on Friday, April 13, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Services will be at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Tyler, Texas on Saturday, April 14, at 1:00 pm, with The Rev. Suzanne Tubbs and The Rev. Bill Cook officiating. Burial will follow at 3:30 pm at Pilgrim Cemetery in Elkhart, Texas. Pallbearers will be Ray Valenti, William Hoffman, III, Charles Camp, Lyle Becknell, Bill Cornet and Anthony Gagliano. Honorary pallbearers will be Sid Hoover and Kin Liles. The memories of "Grammy's" indomitable spirit, joie de vivre, dazzling smile and exquisite international cuisine will be cherished forever by all who were blessed to know her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Tyler, Texas, or to the Tyler Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Juanita Camp

September 13, 1940 - April 11, 2007