Pauline Robertha Campbell

A Life Well Lived

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Pauline Robertha Williams Campbell, age 94, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 14th, 2019, a beautiful Valentine’s Day morning.  Pauline was born on April 10, 1924, in Washington D.C to Harry Alexander Williams and Frances Robertha Young Williams. Pauline was raised by her grandparents, Isaac and Lottie Young.

Pauline attended Lyntonsville Elementary, a one room school house in Montgomery County.  Her education continued in Washington, DC at Ganett Patterson Junior High School and Armstrong Senior High School, as well as Rockville High School.  Her love for music began in that one room school house, as well as Pilgrim Baptist Church and Mount Zion United Methodist Church; all three located in the Lyntonsville Community.  Her music career continued with the Silver Spring Chanters, the Zionnaires Directors, her good friends, Brother Lawrence Tyson and Brother Simi Clinton, The Campbell Chorleers, Mrs. Deloris (Sissy) Gross and many others.  

Pauline retired as an employee of the state of Maryland, serving as an Aide at Great Oaks Center, a residential placement facility for adults with special needs located in Montgomery County, Maryland.  Her love for music extended there as she would frequently carry her keyboard to work and use songs as a form of therapy with the clients in her care.

During her marriage of 26 years to William E. Campbell she gave birth to seven sons, William Jr., Vincent, Clifton, Gregory, Wilfred and Winfred (twins), and Jonathan.  In 1966, she became the foster parent of five additional boys, Jimmy, Ronald, Melvin, Sylvester, and Michael.

In the late 1960s, five mothers who were concerned about the dropout rate of young people in the Good Hope community organized a club known as Good Hope Scholarship Club. The club was instrumental in encouraging young people to complete their education and help them find a place in life.  Within five years, the dropout rate reduced from 50-60% to zero.  Pauline was one of those five mothers who made a difference in her community.  Additionally, she was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary, supporting the VFW, serving veterans, active-duty service members and their families, and spreading patriotism nationwide.

Pauline loved music and she loved the Lord.  She merged her two passions and ministered to countless people using her voice as well as her ability to play the piano.  Although she never learned to read music, she developed the gift of “playing by ear”.  No one else played and sang like Pauline, she was known for her unique and beautiful style!

After living in the Good Hope community for over 50 years, she moved to Hampshire Village senior living facility on Norbeck Road where she resided for over 13 years.  The residents quickly grew to love and recognize her by her infectious smile, her melodious voice, and her unspeakable joy. 

Pauline is survived by her sister, Lottie Wise; sons, William Edward Campbell Jr. (Delia), Gregory Wayne Campbell, and Jonathan Russell Campbell (Ruth); a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews, other relatives and countless friends.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Sherman Alexander Williams; her sons: Wilfred and Winfred (twins), Clifton Ellsworth and Vincent Lamonte, Sr.

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