My last living grandparent died last week at the age of 98 (plus 11 months 16 days).
Beulah Arena Bradley was born on 30 Jun 1917 to parents Reverend James William Bradley Sr (1871 to 1961) and Bettie Cutchin Lentz (1881 to 1960). She married John Lansing Cameron (1916 to 1997) on 7 Sep 1940. She died on 15 Jun 2016.
Following is her obituary.
Beulah Bradley Cameron
June 30, 1917 – June 15, 2016
Beulah Cameron passed away at Springmoor Retirement Community four days after suffering a stroke. She was born in Hookerton, NC to Rev. James William Bradley and Bettie Lentz Bradley, both deceased. She is predeceased by her husband, John Lansing Cameron, originally from Jonesboro, NC. Their loving marriage was 57 years strong upon his death on February 20, 1997. She also is predeceased by her older brother, Julian Willis Bradley, who passed away on April 12, 2002, and her first son, William John Cameron, who passed away on May 17, 2015.
She is survived by her children, Ann Cameron Pearce (Irvin) of Raleigh, NC, David Bradley Cameron (Martha) of Union Mills, NC, and her daughter-in-law, Joan Mabes Cameron of Eden, NC. She was so proud of her grandchildren, Will (Karen) of Stafford, VA, Chad of Orlando, FL, Lans (Marte) of Kristiansand, Norway, Jason (Jenny) of Carmel, IN, and Cameron (Arianne) of Pensacola, FL. The added joys of her life were her great grandchildren, Josh, Jacob, Eva, Liv, and Jenson, in addition to her step-grandchildren, Rob, George, and Molly.
She began married life with John in Louisburg, NC where he was the coach at Louisburg College. Then, after John’s US Navy service, they settled in Raleigh for 12 years, after which they lived in Falls Church, VA for 22 years. Raleigh became her home again in 1982 and they moved to Springmoor in 1988.
Her major love beyond her family and church was music. She brought joy and inspiration to countless persons through teaching piano and organ, accompanying solos and hymns on the piano, and playing organ for over 200 churches in Raleigh and the Northern Virginia area. She was honored to have played for most of the Vespers and memorial services at Springmoor for 28 years.
Her formal training was a piano degree from Greensboro College in 1938 (“magna cum laude” and president of the centennial class) and an organ degree from Meredith College twenty years later. Her involvements in Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, PEO, the Raleigh Music Club, UMW, and the American Guild of Organists, afforded her opportunities to be a positive influence on many people throughout her life.
This gentle lady will be missed by those who will always love her. We rest in the knowledge that her spirit is with those who have gone on before and she is encompassed by the hands of her Savior.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Music Department of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church.