Mary Anne Campbell remembered
Liberty County has lost another of its very finest, with the passing of Mary Anne Campbell, 83, last Thursday, March 3, at home with family.
Born October 11, 1939, in Daisett a to parents Raymond and Anna Mae Green, Campbell was a local girl through and through.
She graduated from Hull-Daisett a High School in 1958. She even married her high school sweetheart, David Campbell June 24, 1960. The couple had a pair of children, Bruce and Andrea.
Campbell was a fixture in south Liberty County, serving in a number of roles at local businesses with stints at Taff Insurance Agency, Liberty ISD, Hull- Daisetta ISD, Hull State Bank ( now Texas First Bank), and Liberty County Teachers Federal Credit Union.
However, her biggest contribution locally was undoubtedly her time with the Liberty-Dayton Chamber of Commerce, where she spent 30 years working to support the local business community in both communities.
Bill Buchanan, retired owner of KSHN, noted that he was not exactly objective regarding Campbell, as she, along with Buchanan’s late wife Jan and Andy Waldrop, secretly led the efforts to get him inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2011, for which he will always remain grateful.
“The main thing about her was she asked for credit about nothing and did a little bit of everything. She just wanted the chamber to succeed, and I was a great admirer of hers,” said Buchanan.
Campbell began as Administrative Assistant under former Chamber Manager Jeff Winter and continued in that position under Gary Underwood until he departed from that role in 2001. Shortly after Underwood’s departure, the Chamber elected to promote Campbell to that leadership role in 2001; eventually, the title was changed to Chamber President, which she stayed in until her retirement due to health reasons in July of 2021.
County Judge Jay Knight lauded Campbell as a true joy to work with and to know as a person.
“ No doubt the kindest person I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with in public life. She was just caring and never held back on telling you what she thought, and she would always listen,” said Knight.
During her time with the chamber, Campbell oversaw several successful events enjoyed by many across the area, including the Country Christmas in both Liberty and Dayton, as well as annual events like the chamber banquet and events honoring local administrative professionals and other chamber activities.
At her retirement, Campbell shared several significant accomplishments that she was most proud of during her tenure. From bringing in the Sam’s Distribution Center and working with John Hebert and Dempsie Henley to locate the Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities in Dayton to helping improve safety along local roadways like FM 1409, she was proud of the work the chamber had done.
Mayor Carl Pickett will always remember Campbell for her work and dedication to the community and chamber.
“ We certainly appreciate everything she did for the city of Liberty and her dedication and hard work throughout the years, and the benefi t she brought to the city and surrounding areas,” said Pickett.
Campbell was laid to rest Tuesday, March 7, at Cooke Cemetery after funeral services at New Work Family Worship Center.