Joseph Campbell Obituary SMITHFIELD － Joseph Nelson Campbell passed away in his sleep at his home, after a brief illness with cancer, on Saturday, March 14, 2020. He was the fourth of six children of Lottie May Kerns Campbell and Fred Leland Campbell. Even though he was born in Front Royal, Virginia, he always considered Portsmouth, VA his home. Sports were also very important to him, he was proud to make the football team at Woodrow Wilson High School his freshman year. He graduated in 1951 after only three and a half years. He has remained lifelong friends with his High School Football Team members, meeting with them up until his death as part of the Gridiron Club. On March 3, 1951 he married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Dudley. That same year he started his career with the United States Postal Service and joined the National Guard. His career in the USPS was very successful, beginning in 1951 and retiring after 36 years of service in 1987. During this service he served as Postmaster in several of the largest post offices in Virginia, including Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk and finally Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was selected as one of the first candidates in the Postal Executive Corporation. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Mary Dudley Campbell. Survivors include his son, Joseph Kerns "Kasey" Campbell and wife Dee Booker Campbell; a grandson, Joseph Nelson Campbell, II and granddaughter, Mary Stuart Campbell Taylor and husband, Joshua Emory Taylor, all of Smithfield, Virginia. He is also survived by a special nephew, David Anthony Shea and niece, Dudley Shea DeStefano and husband Dan DeStefano. Joe is also survived by his brothers, Fred Leland Campbell of Nags Head, NC, and Adolph and Mavis Campbell of Louisiana, sisters, Clara Johnson of Ohio and Cindy Holmes of Maryland. He was an Uncle and Great Uncle to many Campbell nieces and nephews. The burial will take place on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:00 am at St. Luke's Memorial Park Cemetery, Smithfield, VA. Baker-Foster Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the American Cancer Society. Due to the current circumstances in our environment, A Celebration of Life will be arranged for a later date. Joe described himself as "Chief, Head of Efforts and Passer of all Misinformation". We would like to remember him as our Sunshine, he was larger than life, generous always, and a very loving man. Full obituary and condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com. Joseph Campbell Obituary (1931 － 2020) － Suffolk, VA － -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.rwbakerfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?searchName=Joseph+Campbell&page=1 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dailypress/name/joseph-campbell-obituary?id=11135020 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative summary of the obituary: Joseph Nelson Campbell, born in Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on 14 March 2020. A Portsmouth native, he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1951. Campbell had a successful 36-year career with the USPS, serving as Postmaster in several large Virginia post offices. He was predeceased by his wife Mary. ### Narrative summary of funeral services: The burial took place on 20 March 2020 at 11:00 am at St. Luke's Memorial Park Cemetery, Smithfield, VA. Baker Foster Funeral Home handled arrangements. A Celebration of Life was to be arranged for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society were suggested. ### The Edited Obituary: Joseph Campbell Obituary SMITHFIELD Joseph Nelson Campbell passed away in his sleep at his home, after a brief illness with cancer, on Saturday, 14 March 2020. He was the fourth of six children of Lottie May Kerns Campbell and Fred Leland Campbell. Even though he was born in Front Royal, Virginia, he always considered Portsmouth, VA his home. Sports were also very important to him, he was proud to make the football team at Woodrow Wilson High School his freshman year. He graduated in 1951 after only three and a half years. He has remained lifelong friends with his High School Football Team members, meeting with them up until his death as part of the Gridiron Club. On 3 March 1951 he married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Dudley. That same year he started his career with the United States Postal Service and joined the National Guard. His career in the USPS was very successful, beginning in 1951 and retiring after 36 years of service in 1987. During this service he served as Postmaster in several of the largest post offices in Virginia, including Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk and finally Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was selected as one of the first candidates in the Postal Executive Corporation. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Mary Dudley Campbell. Survivors include his son, Joseph Kerns "Kasey" Campbell and wife Dee Booker Campbell; a grandson, Joseph Nelson Campbell, II and granddaughter, Mary Stuart Campbell Taylor and husband, Joshua Emory Taylor, all of Smithfield, Virginia. He is also survived by a special nephew, David Anthony Shea and niece, Dudley Shea DeStefano and husband Dan DeStefano. Joe is also survived by his brothers, Fred Leland Campbell of Nags Head, NC, and Adolph and Mavis Campbell of Louisiana, sisters, Clara Johnson of Ohio and Cindy Holmes of Maryland. He was an Uncle and Great Uncle to many Campbell nieces and nephews. The burial will take place on Friday, 20 March 2020 at 11:00 am at St. Luke's Memorial Park Cemetery, Smithfield, VA. Baker Foster Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the American Cancer Society. Due to the current circumstances in our environment, A Celebration of Life will be arranged for a later date. Joe described himself as "Chief, Head of Efforts and Passer of all Misinformation". We would like to remember him as our Sunshine, he was larger than life, generous always, and a very loving man. Full obituary and condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com. Joseph Campbell Obituary (1931 2020) Suffolk, VA ### Vital Statistics Summary: Name: Joseph Nelson Campbell Age: Unknown Birth: 1931 (estimated); Front Royal, Virginia Death: 14 March 2020; Smithfield, Virginia ### Table of Relationships: Name: Joseph Nelson Campbell, Relationship: Decedent, Residence: Smithfield, Virginia Name: Mary Elizabeth Dudley Campbell, Relationship: Predeceased Spouse, Residence: - Name: Fred Leland Campbell, Relationship: Parent, Residence: Unknown Name: Lottie May Kerns Campbell, Relationship: Parent, Residence: Unknown Name: Joseph Kerns "Kasey" Campbell, Relationship: Child, Residence: Smithfield, Virginia Name: Joseph Nelson Campbell, II, Relationship: Grandchild, Residence: Smithfield, Virginia Name: Mary Stuart Campbell Taylor, Relationship: Grandchild, Residence: Smithfield, Virginia Name: Fred Leland Campbell, Relationship: Sibling, Residence: Nags Head, NC Name: Adolph Campbell, Relationship: Sibling, Residence: Louisiana Name: Clara Johnson, Relationship: Sibling, Residence: Ohio Name: Cindy Holmes, Relationship: Sibling, Residence: Maryland Name: Jean Campbell Rozier, Relationship: Predeceased Sibling, Residence: - Name: David Anthony Shea, Relationship: Nephew, Residence: Smith Mountain Lake Name: Dudley Shea DeStefano, Relationship: Niece, Residence: Glen Allen, Virginia Name: Dee Booker Campbell, Relationship: Daughter-in-law, Residence: Smithfield, Virginia Name: Joshua Emory Taylor, Relationship: Grandson-in-law, Residence: Smithfield, Virginia Name: Dan DeStefano, Relationship: Nephew-in-law, Residence: Glen Allen, Virginia ### Publication Details: Place: Suffolk, VA Name: Joseph Campbell Obituary Date: 1931-2020 Page: ### Other Relevant Information: 1. Born in Front Royal, Virginia, but considered Portsmouth, VA his home. 2. Graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1951 after only three and a half years. 3. Made the football team at Woodrow Wilson High School his freshman year. 4. Remained lifelong friends with his High School Football Team members, meeting with them up until his death as part of the Gridiron Club. 5. Married Mary Elizabeth Dudley on 3 March 1951. 6. Started his career with the United States Postal Service in 1951. 7. Joined the National Guard in 1951. 8. Had a successful 36-year career with the USPS, retiring in 1987. 9. Served as Postmaster in several of the largest post offices in Virginia, including Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, and finally Virginia Beach. 10. Selected as one of the first candidates in the Postal Executive Corporation. 11. Described himself as "Chief, Head of Efforts and Passer of all Misinformation". 12. Remembered as "Sunshine", larger than life, generous always, and a very loving man.