Margaret Ruth Camden, 88, left her Earthly home on July 9, 2022. She was born one of ten children to Herschel & Virginia Hollingsworth on March 18, 1934 in Linton, Indiana.
On February 17, 1952, she married Rex Camden in a loving “shotgun” wedding. Some family said it would never work. They defied expectations by spending over 70 years of (mostly) wedded bliss until his passing on April 11, 2022. During their marriage they had 3 children: Phillip Camden (the favorite, although Margaret never said it out loud), Pennie Anselment (who thought she was the favorite) and Paula Aydt (the baby). Son-in-laws Jay Kennedy and Tim Aydt. 4 grandchildren: Stacy Camden McLaughlin (Toby Fowler), Justin Aydt (Katie), Nathan Aydt (Chelsea) and Jacquelyn Alberter (Eric)- who was often referred to as Paula by Margaret for as long as she can remember. (Don’t worry, Pennie has already started to continue the tradition) 8 great-grandchildren: Lucas, Alaina and Brenna Aydt; Levi, Landon and Maren Aydt; and Camdyn and Emmie Alberter. She is also survived by sisters: Carolyn, Beverly and Linda and a brother David.
Margaret will be remembered for her collections of porcelain dolls and cookie jars, her homemade peanut butter cookies, chocolate fudge, divinity, dumplings, her soap opera watching and sophisticated VHS recording schedule so she could simultaneously watch almost every soap, and her delight at beating Rex at cards or any game they were playing.
She was preceded in death by her parents Herschel & Virginia Hollingsworth, her husband Rex Camden, sisters: Alice and Joan, brothers: Carl, Sam and Rexy, daughter in law Beverly Hively Camden, son-in-law Richard Anselment and infant great-grandson Leyan Michael.
Graveside funeral services for Margaret Ruth Camden will be held at 1:30 pm on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in McLeansboro, IL with Pastor Alan Monroe officiating. A public visitation will be held prior to the graveside service from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Hamilton Memorial Hospital Foundation or to a charity of the donor’s choice, and will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com