Mae Camp

Mae Ellen Only Camp died Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Life Care Nursing Home in Cleveland.

A long-time resident of Bradley County, she was born in 1917 in Calhoun, Tennessee, daughter of the late Charles F. Only and Lillie Brown Only of McMinn County, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Floyd Milton Camp, of Cleveland, Tennessee; their young son, Gerald Burton Camp; and an infant brother, J. Lake Only.

She was a member of the Union Grove Church of God of Prophecy in Charleston. Her late husband was a minister in the Church of God of Prophecy, pastoring churches in Tennessee, Michigan, North Dakota, and Georgia from 1945 until 1977, a period of 32 years. Mae Ellen received her license as a minister in 1958. As a pastor's wife she was a great help through her work in the Sunday Schools for many years, where she loved to teach children. She was a faithful and dedicated woman, who loved God and her family.

She also volunteered her time to serve as a nursing home ombudsman for Bradley County during the early 1990's. She went through a training program by the State of Tennessee, which taught her how to be an advocate for nursing home residents. She is survived by 5 children: Peggy Camp Puckett and husband David Puckett of Athens; Rev. Donald Camp of Signal Mountain; Larry Camp and wife Genell Brown Camp of Athens; Beverly Camp Seabrook and husband Bill Seabrook of Hampton, Georgia; and Debbie Camp Sampley and husband Dennis Sampley of Cleveland.

Mae Ellen is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Jeffrey Puckett and wife Linda Sandifer Puckett of McDonough, GA; Rev. Randy Puckett and wife Christine Dehlman Puckett of Pine Mountain Valley, Georgia; Lori Ann Camp of Signal Mountain; Daniel Camp and wife Karen Moorman Camp of Daisy; Ben Seabrook and wife Ginger Preston Seabrook of Sharpsburg, Georgia; Marisa Camp Clayton of Athens; Rodney Camp and wife Laura Camp of Cleveland; Spencer Camp of Athens; Nathan Sampley and wife Julie Botts Sampley of Georgetown; and Amy Sampley Brackett and husband Terry Brackett of Cleveland.

She is also survived by 18 great grandchildren: Anna Puckett Ogletree, Katie Puckett, Michael Puckett, Daniel Puckett, Deborah Puckett and Matthew Puckett; Amber Brooks, Jonathan Camp, Savannah and Megan Clayton; Emily Camp, Aaron Seabrook, Brandon Camp, Falon Sampley, Isaac Camp; Ethan Brackett, Sara Elizabeth Camp, and Mason Sampley.

Survivors also include sister-in-law Alice Camp Harris and husband James Harris of Covington, Georgia; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Funeral services will be 3 pm Saturday at Grissom Funeral Home in Cleveland with Rev. Gene Dasher and Rev. Allen Davis officiating.

Pallbearers will be her 7 grandsons: Jeff Puckett, Randy Puckett, Daniel Camp, Ben Seabrook, Rodney Camp, Spencer Camp and Nathan Sampley.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Grissom Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.grissomfh.net