Mildred Ruth McCampbell

Mildred Ruth McCampbell was born on April 9, 1928, and grew up in South Atlanta with her seven brothers and sisters. Her parents were very active in the church, and their family home sat right beside Oakland City Baptist Church. She attended Girls High School in Atlanta and, after graduating, began work at Fairbanks and Morse—where she would eventually meet the love of her life, Lester McCampbell.

The Miller household was always full of people from the church. Cooking and caring for guests was a constant bustle, and in a family of seven children, everyone had a role to play. One day while riding with her dad, Mildred spotted Lester walking down the street and asked if they could stop to give him a ride. Her father replied, “Let him walk!” Clearly, he wasn’t Lester’s biggest fan just yet—but in the end, Lester got his girl and kept her for more than 70 wonderful years.

Mildred and Lester married on April 16, 1949. Together they raised three wonderful children: their oldest, Donnie; their daughter, Rhonda; and their youngest, Tommy. Nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Over the years, Mildred worked in a variety of roles including at Rich’s Department Store in downtown Atlanta and later in an elementary school cafeteria. Eventually, she chose the most important job of all—being a full-time homemaker. She was also an essential part of the family electronics business, soldering circuit boards, delivering equipment around Atlanta, handling business responsibilities, and serving as Treasurer for many years. She was a steady and influential presence in everything she helped build.

Mildred loved traveling, especially weekend trips to see friends and family. Cruising was one of her greatest joys, particularly when she could explore new places with her brothers and sisters. She also enjoyed an occasional casino trip—not for big wins, but just for fun. She started each night with her “playing coins” in one pocket and her winnings in the other. By the end of the night, that winning pocket was always the full one. She would return and show all of the children and say “look what I won”.)

She never missed sharing the latest family news and always greeted phone calls with her classic, “What do you know?” And if you shared something in confidence… well, the family would probably know soon too!

Mildred had a remarkable way of making everyone feel loved and fully accepted just as they were. She was warm, steady, and joyful—never angry, always encouraging. One of her favorite outings was going to The Varsity for a meal and a peach pie. She didn’t talk much while she was there—she was too busy enjoying her food. She was never fast, but she was steady, and she never once turned down a trip to The Varsity. Often we would ask her several weeks before her birthday, “want to go to the Varsity for your birthday and she replied “Let’s go!”

She was famous for slipping you a twenty-dollar bill and refusing to take it back. She reminded the grandkids to walk on the curb to stay safe from cars. She loved a cold Coke every night, and she was faithful to enjoying two good meals a day—with dessert for supper, of course. Mildred also adored pocketbooks—especially the ones with lots of pockets to tuck her sunglasses away (and lose them at the same time). And there was always that hidden “mad money” inside, usually a crisp hundred-dollar bill.

She didn’t preach long lessons or give big speeches. Instead, she taught us—young and old—by living out the love of Jesus in every interaction, with kindness that felt effortless and genuine.

We will miss her deeply. There is a space in our hearts that cannot be filled. But we find peace in knowing she is reunited with her daughter, her grandson, her beloved husband, and all her brothers and sisters—and that she is now living eternally with God in His kingdom.
She would always end her phone call conversation with you , “ bye… bye…bye, bye bye now.