From The Post Dispatch
Wednesday, April 30, 1947
Richmond County, NC
John D. Cameron
Died April 27th
Christian, Gentleman, Devoted Parent, Honest Citizen John Duncan Cameron Died in Duke Hospital 
at Durham shortly before eleven o'clock Sunday morning-just about the time he would have been 
going to his post in his beloved church here.

He had been in impaired health for some months but refused to be hospitalized; finally on March 
20th he agreed to go to Duke Hospital for an operation, carried there by Dr. William M. Fowlkes 
and Lula "Sister" Fowlkes.  An operation for cancer of his right ear was performed March 21st but 
it was realized his age and progress of the malady were against him.

The funeral was held from his beloved Presbyterian church at 4 o'clock Monday in charge of Rev. 
R.H. Stone of Charlotte, a long time friend.  The choir sang "Abide with me," "Peace perfect Peace," 
and "How Firm a Foundation." The casket was covered with a beautiful spray of lilies, fern and 
carnations.  And blanketed around the casket were many designs from friends and kindred, long devoted 
to this faithful man.  Burial was at Eastside Cemetery beside his wife.

The active pall bearers were F.W. Bynum, W.R. Jones, Dr. T. Boyce Henry, Olen Smith, Lacy Bolton, a
nd W.E. McNair.  Those invited to serve as honorary pall bearers were:  M.B Leath, E.B. Liles, 
D. L. Coppedge, E.B. Mc Laurin, C.R. McNair, L.A. Kelly, D.L. Wicker, M.C. McCloud, Robert Gasque, 
F.L. Pickett, Dr. C.O. Bristow, W.N. Everett, R.L. Johnson.

John Duncan Cameron was born in Laurinburg Dec. 20th 1868, son of Archibald McKay and Mary Agnes Smith Cameron.
John Cameron came from Laurinburg to Rockingham in 1895 and set up a watch repair business in a corner of the 
Boss racket Store.  He remained there until 1908 when he moved into Dr. E.B. Hunter's Drug Store.  In 1919 he 
was in the Fowlkes Pharmacy until 192? when he moved into his present brick building just east of the Richmond 
Theater.

However, on March 4th, 1947 he moved his stock and equipment from the store to his residence on the corner of 
Lawrence and Washington Streets, and leasing his building to J.H. Deal who is next week opening the Ideal Shoe 
Store there.

Mr. Cameron was a resident of Rockingham for 52 years-always a courteous, Christian gentleman-a man who attended 
strictly to his own business-a man who was kindly, gentle and clannishly devoted to his family-to his step-children.  
And they were all devoted to him-he was the same a father to them all.
He was a pillar in his church-a ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church, and for a great many years Stated Clerk 
of the Sessions.

Mr. Cameron attended strictly to his business-watch repair and jewelry store.  On June 22, he went to Augusta, Ga., 
for a visit of six days to his children-the first time in 30 years he had been out of the county, except one brief 
trip to Laurinburg.

On Feb. 5th, 1905 he was married to Lelia Wilburn Fowlkes, widow of Dr. W.M. Fowlkes who was long a druggist here.  
Dr. Fowlkes was born June 17th 1856, and died March 16th 1899. Mrs. Cameron died Oct. 14th 1945-she was born 
May 12th, 1869.There was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cameron one daughter, Leila, who died Oct. 23rd, 1942, wife of 
Boyd Basque.  Surviving Mrs. Gasque is a daughter, who for some years has made her home with her grandfather 
Cameron; she is now a student in W.C.U.N.C. Martha Gasque. But there was no distinction between Mr. Cameron's 
own daughter Lelia and his step-children-he took them all to his heart and home. Yes, a good man is gone.

Surviving are the following step-children- Mrs. Morris (Minta) Purvis of Augusta; Dr. W.M. Fowlkes, druggist of 
Enfield; Hunter Fowlkes of Augusta; Mrs. Lucy Watts French, James C. and Harry Fowlkes of Rockingham.
And also surviving are his own granddaughter, Martha Gasque; and the following step-grandchildren- Dr. W.M. 
Fowlkes 3rd, Lula (Sister) Fowlkes, Mrs. William (Lucy French) Wallace, Mrs. Charles McDairmid of Augusta an 
five great-grandchildren.  And one sister, Mrs. Eugene (Beulah Cameron) Funderburke of Lancaster, S.C.

Return to Richmond County Obituaries
Return to Richmond Co. Home Page