A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of june elizabeth kay campbell, former civil rights leader.
Whereas, June Elizabeth Kay was born on August 19, 1925, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Dr. John Walcott Kay and Willie Otey Kay; and
Whereas, June Kay moved with her family to the City of Raleigh, where she grew up and graduated from Washington High School in 1944; and
Whereas, June Kay attended Shaw University and later took courses at North Carolina State University; and
Whereas, June Kay married Ralph Campbell on January 1, 1946, and together they had four children; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell served as an Administrative Secretary at St. Augustine's College for 31 years prior to retiring in 1992; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell and Ralph Campbell, Sr., became active in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, and quickly became influential leaders who were admired and respected by the members of their community; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell was an ardent supporter of her husband, who served as president of the local chapter of the NAACP and the Raleigh‑Wake Citizens Association; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell provided support and encouragement, along with many home-cooked meals, to area civil rights leaders, often referred to as the Oval Table Gang, who frequently held strategy sessions in the Campbell home around her oval kitchen table; and
Whereas, on September 7, 1960, June Kay Campbell, with courage, confidence, and dignity, escorted her son, Bill, on his first day to school at the formerly all‑white Murphey Elementary School, paving the way for the integration of the Raleigh Public School System; and
Whereas, despite malicious taunts and threats of violence, June Kay Campbell walked Bill to school every day for three years; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell above all was a loving and nurturing mother, who wanted the best for her children and was proud of all of them, including son, Ralph, Jr., who served on the Raleigh City Council from 1985 to 1992 and became the first African‑American to be elected to a statewide constitutional office in North Carolina, serving as State Auditor from 1993 to 2005, and son, Bill, who became a lawyer and served two terms as the Mayor of the City of Atlanta from 1994 to 2002; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell was a faithful member of the St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, where she was a member of the Altar Guild, Absalom Jones Prayer Guild, and the Omega Choir; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell was a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels and an active member of numerous civic groups, including the Gay Matrons, the Raleigh‑Wake Citizens Association (RWCA), Daughters of Isis, the Links, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc., and Chums, Inc.; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell died on August 19, 2004, at the age of 79; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell will be fondly remembered for her quiet, unassuming nature, and her undying devotion and love for her family, church, community, and State; and
Whereas, June Kay Campbell was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ralph Campbell, Sr., who died in 1983; but leaves to survive her adored children: Ralph Campbell, Jr., Mildred Campbell Christmas, William C. "Bill" Campbell, and Edwin Campbell, Sr.; and cherished grandchildren: June Christmas, William Campbell, Christina Campbell, Edwin Campbell, Jr., and Rachel Campbell; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of June Elizabeth Kay Campbell and recognizes her contributions and accomplishments in the area of civil rights.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of June Elizabeth Kay Campbell for the loss of a beloved family member and friend.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of June Elizabeth Kay Campbell.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.