Mrs. Mary Madeliene Taylor Campbell departed this life and went to her heavenly home on Saturday, December 17, 2016. She was born in Covington on January 12, 1926 to John William Taylor and Virginia Childs Taylor (Pullen). She grew up in Covington and Clifton Forge and graduated from Clifton Forge High School in 1945.
Madeliene started work as a waitress while still in high school. After graduation, she worked as a telephone operator in Washington D.C. and lived two blocks from the capital. She always was excited to tell the story of taking two phone calls from movie stars. She returned home and worked for eleven years as a waitress at the former Kostel’s restaurant and eleven years in production at the Industrial Rayon Plant in Covington. She worked for 29 years in production and inspection at the Rubber Plant in Iron Gate, where she retired.
A faithful member of the Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church, she was married there to Fay William Campbell on June 27, 1951. She taught children’s Sunday school there for 37 years. She sang in the choir, was Circle Chairman three times, and wrote three plays. She was extremely proud to have received the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award for the Women of the Church.
Madeliene volunteered at Sharon Elementary school for some time and loved to work with the children and teachers. Madeliene loved to travel and visited many states and countries over the years. She was especially glad to have visited Israel, Italy, Hawaii, and Alaska. She was also happy to tell of visiting Cuba before the revolution. She loved holiday decorations and made and displayed them in her front yard for many years. They are there again this Christmas. She was active in the Democratic Party for many years and was acquainted with many Governors, Senators, and Representatives.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Fay, by two brothers Denton Leroy Taylor and Malcolm Stuart Taylor, and two special friends John Bliss and Hiram Detwiler. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Mays (and husband Glenn), by sisters-in-law Marie Taylor and Velair Taylor, special nieces Barbara Allen (and husband John) and Deloras Smith, special nephews Larry Taylor and Robert (Butch) Taylor. She leaves behind her wonderful work and church families and caring friends Fred and Lucille Johnson, Mildred Johnson, Judy Humphreys, Rene and Sam Clark, Jean Persinger, JoAnn Anderson, Gordie and Barbara James, Carol and Ed Jones, Chris Fisher, Virginia Harlow, Carl and Jenny Brinkley, Willard and Sarah Camp, Lori Albert, Cindy Brokaw and Robert Brown. Last, but certainly not least, she leaves behind her best friend and loving Pomeranian dog, Rhett.
Family night will be Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Nicely Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 11:00 o’clock on Wednesday at the Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church with interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Paul Brokaw and Elder Chris Fisher. Pallbearers will be Sam Clark, Kevin Persinger, Richard Davis, Gordon James, Chris Fisher, and Ted Wilhelm. Honorary Pallbearers will be Fred Johnson, Ed Jones, Carl Brinkley, Willard Camp, and Robert Brown.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church, 544 Church St. Clifton Forge,VA 24422.