In just a few minutes, I’ll be leading a memorial service for Camille Rhoads. A while back I wrote this blog about the wonderful people I’ve been privileged to work with. What I said about her was that she was an amazing woman who made people so glad they came by our office. (I’m afraid I don’t always give off that vibe.)
Cancer came and did its work to Camille’s body — but it didn’t even begin to defeat her gentle spirit. At the very end, she was encouraging her middle school daughter with words of faith and love.
What a tragic privilege it is to speak words of memory over someone who was so dear to me and to this church. Our prayers are with Bill and Danae.
It must be hard to be the “minister” when you also are hurting because you lost a friend. I know that you did a wonderful job and comforted the family with your words.
I got to know Camille years ago when I was a student and she was a young businesswoman leading my class in the Junior Achievement program. I remember being so impressed with all her business suits. I had never known a businessWOMAN who so overflowed with joy and love for people. Our families had worked together on the mission field years before, so it was a special blessing to know her as a mentor. For the next several years we stayed connected and she was an encourager and “cheerleader” in my life. What a beautiful woman of faith!
Peace.
Camille was one of those people who always smiled.
She and Bill taught our young marrieds class at Highland in 1994. One Sunday during prayer requests, I said, “I really need a JOB.” Camille, who was leaving the Highland office as Mike’s assistant, told Brenda Chrane, who called me and offered me the job, and I went to work at Highland the next week. So Mike has Camille to blame for that.
Camille was so giving, always cheerful, and loved Bill and Danae so much.
Mike — thank you for the amazing job you did last Saturday as we honored my precious sister Camille. She was (and always will be “IS” in my heart) an extraordinary disciple of Christ. She was a great example to me as my older sister and in all things — she sought God’s guidance. I miss her tons already but rejoice in her homecoming. She is now cancer-free — safe in the arms of Jesus.
Michelle