Jerri Lee Campbell, 82, passed away at home in Franklin, surrounded by her family on April 20, 2024.
She was born July 8, 1941, in Huntington and was the daughter of the late Faye Louise Price Childers and John Calvin Childers. She spent most of her childhood with her grandparents, the late Lillian and Mansfield Price, where she learned to love gardening and cooking.
Mrs. Campbell earned a double major in psychology and sociology with a minor in archaeology at Marshall University. During her senior year, she met her forever husband, Thomas Earl. They married on Aug. 17, 1963, and began their life together.
As a military wife, she oversaw numerous moves across the United States and the early child raising years on her own, while her husband was away on military missions. She had a passion for animals, raising and showing German Shepherds. There was always a houseful of puppies and children to keep her busy. How she found time for her many talents and crafts like knitting, basket weaving, sewing and gardening is still a mystery to all.
She owned and operated a florist/jewelry store named the Catch Penny, was an award-winning realtor and owned and operated a successful pet store for many years.
Once her children were grown, she decided it was time to move back to her West Virginia roots, where she and her husband spent 29 happy years. She loved sitting on her porch and watching her birds and was able to spend her last moments here.
Her beloved husband of 60 years, Thomas Earl Campbell, survives.
She also leaves behind two daughters, Regina Watson of Franklin and Rebecca Dugan and husband, Keith of Hollywood, Maryland; two sons, Thomas E. Campbell II and wife, Gina of Panama Beach, Florida, and John Mansfield Campbell and wife, Kimberly of Merritt Island, Florida; nine grandchildren, Lauren Glass and husband, Davis, Emily Campbell, Hannah Campbell, Brianna Nash and husband, Zachary, Jessica Boyd and husband, Gareth, Mary Laviolette and husband, Caleb, Shane Dugan, John Campbell and wife, Amanda, MacKenzie Smith and husband, Cody; and seven great-grandchildren, Juniper Glass, Connor and Madeleine Nash, Eden, Avner and Theodore Boyd and Elijah Campbell.
She was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, George Thomas Watson.
Her body has been cremated, and the family will commemorate her life privately at a later date.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
