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Long-time school board member Campbell loses battle with cancer

ABBEVILLE — A mass of Christian burial will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, July 3, 2015, at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Abbeville honoring the life of Charles Campbell, 79, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 28, 2015, at his home, after a dignified, courageous, and hard-fought battle against cancer.  He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Officiating the services will be Rev. Arockiam Arockiam, SVD, family friend along with Deacon Alvin Dejean as con-celebrant.  
Visitation will be held at Vincent Funeral Home, in Abbeville, LA, from 8 a.m. until time of services.  A rosary will be recited at 12 p.m.
Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville, LA 
Charles was born in Abbeville, LA, on November 25, 1935, to the union of Thomas Sr. and Edna Campbell.  
He was a life-long resident and community leader in Vermilion Parish.
At the time of his death, he was currently serving his fifth term as a school board member, representing District F.  During his tenure as a board member, he was elected board President five times.  
As a professional educator in Vermilion Parish, Charles held the following positions:  Director of Federal Programs, Adult Education and Media Center;  Chief GED Examiner;  State Certified Program Evaluator;  Grant Writer;  Director of Migrant and Immigration Education;  Teacher;  and Coach.  
Charles also worked in the Veterans Upward Bound Program at UL Lafayette, as an Academic Specialist and an Administrative Coordinator.  
And lastly, he worked briefly as a faculty member at Delta College in Lafayette, LA.  
Education:
Charles received a Master’s of Education Degree plus 30 graduate hours from Nicholls State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from UL of Lafayette.  He was valedictorian of the graduating class of 1954 at James A. Herod High School.  
Throughout his life he has been honored to receive awards such as the NAACP, MLK, Black Caucus Police Juror of LA Humanitarian Award, and many others to numerous to name.
Charles was a current member of the LA School Board Association; a past member of the Abbeville General Hospital Board of Commissioners; a former Usher at St. Theresa Catholic Church, and a former youth football, baseball, and softball coach.
Charles enjoyed spending time with his children and grand-children.  He was an avid reader, who had a love for literary works.  It was common knowledge that he kept up with current events and read four newspapers daily.  He also enjoyed fishing and an occasional trip to the casino.  His favorite television shows were western shows, Walker Texas Ranger, and Sanford and Son.
His spirit lives on through the lives of his son, Roderick Charles Campbell (Christine) of Youngsville, LA; four daughters, Bridget C. Winters (Larry) of Maurice, LA; Agatha C. Leonard (Steven) of Pittsburgh, PA; Gwendolyn C. Cole (Anthony) and Ena C. Darby (Clarence) both of Abbeville, LA; thirteen grandchildren, Cedric, Garren, Jade, Jasmine, Derek, Jenson, Thaddeus, Regina, Arianna, Nia, Tatum, Timori, and Brennan; two great-grandsons, Daylon and Noah; one brother, Carlton Campbell (Belinda); three sisters, Lola Wilson, Martha Guidry, and Betty Robinson; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Campbell and Terri Campbell; an uncle, Floyd Campbell (Audrey) and a host of nieces and nephews.  
Charles was preceded in death by both his parents; and infant son, David Ronald Campbell; sister, Esther Sereal; brothers, Thomas Jr., Bunnie, and Leroy Campbell.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Amedisys Home Health and Hospice, Dr. Michael Cain, Dr. Julian Krawczyk, Tammy Stutes and the staff of Cashway Pharmacy, caretakers, Colette Thibeaux, Vera Shelvin, Sarah Samuels, Shellie Collins, Deborah Vallot, and Carol Ozenne.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Zemma Roy Campbell and Charles Campbell Memorial Scholarship Fund addressed to 8286 Fusilier Road, Maurice, LA  70555.

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