Camille L. Smith

Camille Louise Smith, 80, formerly of Chillicothe, died Saturday, March 7, at Wesley Woods of New Albany, where she had resided for the past 3 ½ years. She was born in 1945 in Washington, DC, to Henry and Mary Bradley McComb. A 1963 graduate of Chillicothe High School, she attended Ohio State University and graduated in 1967 with a BSN in nursing. She was married for over 58 years to Dr. David Smith, who survives.

Camille's early life was spent in Tennessee and Georgia, where her parents were raised. When the Piketon uranium enrichment plant opened in the early 1950s, the family moved to Ohio, living first in Waverly and then Chillicothe, where Camille attended Tiffin, West Fifth, and then Chillicothe High School. After college graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, David, and started working as a home health nurse for the Columbus Public Health Nursing Service. She loved home health nursing, particularly her work in Columbus's most underserved areas, but left with the birth of her first child.

After David served in the United States Air Force and completed his medical training, the family, now with three children, returned to Chillicothe in 1976. Camille chose to be a stay-at-home mom, immersing herself in the activities of caring for her three young children, and modeling for them a life of kindness, love, respect for others, and devoted service to Jesus Christ. As the children grew more independent, she briefly returned to home health nursing with Ross County Home Health until the birth of her fourth child in 1984. She was a stay-at-home mom for several more years until accepting the role of preschool director at Walnut Street Children’s School. This was likely her favorite position, allowing her to nuture young children and encourage young moms.

Camille was a longtime member of Walnut Street United Methodist Church, serving as a parish nurse, Stephen Minister, VBS, and children’s Sunday School volunteer. If there was a need, Camille was always one of the first to volunteer. She was involved in helping bring Hope Clinic to Ross County in 2016 and eagerly volunteered her nursing skills there. She also enjoyed serving with her husband and later her son, Daniel, on medical mission trips to Redbird, Kentucky, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Her heart was pure, and even though she was aware of the world's depravity, her almost childlike innocence was a remarkable contrast to a cynical world. Her faith in Jesus Christ was lifelong and unquestioning, and she took very seriously His mandate to help “the least of these,” always willing to help anyone who had a need.

Camille loved people and made friends everywhere she went, which made exiting any business or event with her a very lengthy process. She had friends through her children’s activities, Junior Civic League, book clubs, PEO, her neighborhood, and her Hobby Club of over 40 years. In addition, she had a core group of extremely dear friends. For nearly 50 years, together they raised their children, helping one another with all the ups and downs of life with much laughter and many celebrations.

Camille was devoted to her husband, her children, and grandchildren, and it was unthinkable that she would miss any of their activities. To be with her family was her greatest joy. She loved them all deeply, and her love was returned many times over.

Camille is survived by her husband, David; daughter Lisa Finn [JJ] of Powell, Ohio; sons Andrew Smith [Becky] of Powell; Michael Smith [Stephanie] of Lakeland, Florida; and Dr. Daniel Smith [Katie] of Westerville, Ohio; 8 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren (with another on the way), 2 step-great-grandchildren, a brother, Dr. John S. McComb [Geri] of Greensboro, North Carolina, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her nephew, Nicholas McComb.

Calling hours and visitation will be Sunday, March 15, 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Haller Funeral Home, 1661 Western Avenue, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, at Walnut Street United Methodist Church, 16 S Walnut Street, Chillicothe, Ohio. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to further her work at Hope Clinic of Ross County, PO Box 864, Chillicothe, OH 45601 https://www.hopeclinicfree.org/support/donate.html; or Walnut Street Children’s School, c/o Walnut Street UMC, PO Box 509, Chillicothe, OH 45601.

“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8