Nancy L. Campbell

Nancy L. Campbell, 98, died on December 13, 2024. She was born on December 29, 1925 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Floyd and Emily Sellers. She graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO in May of 1943. Nancy met her husband, John Owen Campbell (Nashville, TN), in St. Joseph, MO while John was being trained by the US Army Air Corps at Rosecrans Airfield to become an airplane mechanic. John and Nancy married in March of 1946, were married for 73 years, and had five children: Rebecca (James), John (Cindy), Susan, Richard, and Terry (Deborah); four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Nancy was a dedicated mother and grandmother who loved to celebrate her children’s and grandchildren’s birthdays and attend their many school events. She was also a faithful member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Liberty, MO for nearly 60 years. 

 In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, John; four of her children: Rebecca, John, Susan, and Richard; her son-in-law Jim (James); her grandson Michael; and her siblings Eugene and Mary.

 The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, December 19, 2024, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Liberty, MO. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 1:30 PM and the service from 1:30 to 2:15 PM with the graveside service beginning at 3:00 PM at White Chapel Cemetery in Gladstone, MO. All are welcome to attend.  If you are considering sending flowers to the church for the funeral service but would prefer to donate to one of Nancy’s favorite charities, you can send a donation to United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Missouri located at 3303 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64506. 

Nancy Lee Campbell Eulogy

Nancy Lee Campbell was born on December 29, 1925 in St. Joseph, MO and passed away in Kansas City, MO on December 13, 2024. She was the youngest of three children born to Floyd and Emily Sellers. Her siblings were Eugene and Mary. Nancy married John Owen Campbell on March 23, 1946 in Kansas City, MO, and they were married for 73 years.  

John and Nancy had five children: Rebecca (James), John (Cindy), Susan, Richard, and Terry (Deborah). They were blessed with four grandchildren: Christina (Patrick), Michael, Colin (Mariana) and Nicolet (John). 

Next came seven great-grandchildren: Jason, Casey, Rachael (Shawn), Matthew, Branson (Alley), Kaela, and Danielle. Nancy also had five great-great-grandchildren: Kendrick, Jaela, Darrien, Iris, and Theo. And she had numerous nieces and nephews, two of whom (Cheryl and David) grew up and settled in, or near, Liberty.

Along with her parents, Nancy was also preceded in death by her husband, John, and four of her children: Rebecca, John, Susan, and Richard; her son-in-law James; her grandson Michael; and both of her siblings.

Family was of great importance to Nancy. She loved to be with her family whether it was a holiday celebration meal or a school event for one of her children or grandchildren. Many family birthdays and holidays were celebrated in her home followed by activities such as card and board games, outdoor sports like croquet, or simply visiting in her living room or outside when it was warm. She was always interested in hearing how everyone was doing and what was new in their lives. 

As a young child Nancy lived in St. Joe, MO. Her father, who worked for the railroad, was eventually transferred to Kansas City, MO where Nancy spent her teenage years. In May 1943 she graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO.  

After America entered WWII, Nancy’s cousin Margie, who lived in the St. Joe area and was dating a GI named Mickey, introduced Nancy to Mickey’s army buddy John Campbell from Nashville, TN. That first meeting was a blind date and it obviously went well. But not long after that, the US Army Air Corps sent John overseas to Burma. They renewed their courtship upon John’s honorable discharge from the US Army in February 1946, and the couple married the following month. 

Nancy lived in the Liberty-Kearney Missouri area for over 60 years and has been a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Liberty since 1965. She joined the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) and treasured her role as one of the church members who prepared the Holy Communion elements for church services. Nancy faithfully performed that role until she was no longer physically able to continue. She also had a soft heart for others who suffered tragedies. Nancy along with others in the church provided meals for them. She truly had a servant’s heart. Her niece Cheryl appropriately said regarding Nancy that “she was a very special, strong-hearted, loving soul.”

One of Nancy’s favorite chapters in the Bible was John 14. During those times of personal tribulation, she often turned to verse 27 where Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (NIV). When she went into hospice care last summer, she took comfort in verses 2 and 3, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am” (NIV).  

Nancy liked to recite Psalm 23 from memory, which ends with “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (KJV). We should all take comfort in knowing that Nancy is no longer suffering, but is in Heaven with the Lord, and shall remain with Him for eternity.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6 NKJV).