Anne Cameron - Obituary

nne Ball Cameron Anne B. Cameron, 74, a resident of Annapolis for over 25 years, passed away on Easter Sunday April 24th at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She was surrounded in joy and love by her children. Anne was the daughter of Ivy Mays Ball, R. N., and Sherriff J. Lee Ball of Lanham, Maryland. Anne was the beloved wife of the late John W. Cameron. She is survived by daughter Karen Helms, son Michael (Kim) and daughter Laurie (Andreas Guessmann) Cameron. She joins her late sons Mark W. Cameron and John L. Cameron. Anne is survived by eight grandchildren, Steven Dakis, Anthony Dakis, Jacquelyn Helms, Kristy Kinder, Michael Cameron, Angela Cameron, Mark Cameron, and Ava Grace Guessmann Cameron; and six great-grandchildren: Taylor Dakis, Isabella Dakis, Hailey Kinder, Jordan Kinder, Ivy Helms and Kaylen Cameron. She also leaves Harvey Ball, her Brother, and Laurie Ball Phoebus, her Sister. Anne was born on May 27, 1936 in Washington, D.C and graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1954. She was the 16th Senior Class Queen, and remained very active on the Bladensburg High School Reunion Committee for over 50 years, meeting the close-knit group for monthly luncheons and yearly picnics and events. At the time of her death, she was planning her 57th high school reunion. Anne attended the University of Maryland. In 1954, Anne won the title of “Miss Independence” on WMAL-TV. As reported in the Post on June 24, 1954, she “will reign over the gigantic Independence Day parade and celebration with TV performer Jerry Strong.”In 1961, she was the Washington D.C National Auto Show Queen. In 1961, Anne became a charter Washington Redskinette cheerleader. The Redskinettes are known as the First Ladies of Football. Anne loved being a Redskinette and raised all five of her children singing “Hail to the Redskins.” Anne remained very active with the Washington Redskinette Cheerleader Alumni Association as a volunteer for charity and a performer. Anne’s first job was at the C & P Telephone Company in Washington DC. Anne also worked at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the Maryland State Police, State Highway Administration, FBI, the Prince Georges District Court and Police Department. Anne was a natural for her career in hospitality which started with Ramada Hotel in Lanham, Sheraton Hotel in Lanham and continued at Loews Annapolis Hotel. She became a sailor and worked chartering boats to St. Thomas Island. She loved the hospitality industry in Annapolis and worked as a tour guide on ABC Charters, at the Thomas Point Lighthouse and dressed in traditional costume giving historic tours of the State House and downtown Annapolis. Anne had a lifelong commitment to working in the Democratic political arena. As a young woman she enthusiastically campaigned for her father. She was an election judge for two decades, worked at the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis and for former Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer in her office. Anne was very active in the Friday Democratic Club of Annapolis and volunteered on the campaigns for President Barack Obama, former Senator and current U.S. Speaker Steny Hoyer and State Speaker Mike Busch. Anne is known as the gentle angel of Annapolis. She was so committed to service and helping others. She knew her purpose in life-to care for and help others. Up to the time of her death she volunteered at the Hospice of the Chesapeake, the Anne Arundel Medical Center, the Annapolis Lighthouse Shelter for the Homeless, and Southern Maryland Senior Center in Edgewater. She was very active at her beloved Heritage Baptist Church in Annapolis, volunteering with the Exceptional Learners Sunday School, packing “backpack” lunches for hungry children and helping in the kitchen for the Wednesday Night Dinners. She loved singing in the church choir, which she did throughout her life. Anne was a lifelong performer of music and dance. With five children she was performing as a tap dancer, and she was in numerous musical productions. She performed at the Redskins halftime show recently at a home game with the Washington Redskin Cheerleader Alumni. She loved attending performances at the Naval Academy, and attending her granddaughters’ shows and performances. She was currently a member of the South County Showstoppers performance troupe. In 2009 she won First Place at the 2nd Annual Jogging Joe Shafton Memorial Run. In 2010 she won First Place at her granddaughter’s Cheerleading Dance Contest. Anne was known for her light, for her radiant and ever-present smile, and for her gentle, calming presence. Her daily walk with Jesus was the foundation of her time on earth. She started each day with Bible Study and prayer. She took the time to talk with and comfort friends, neighbors, family and strangers. Her strong, unshakeable faith was an inspiration to many. Friends are invited to Anne’s Life Celebration at the Heritage Baptist Church, 1740 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm, where services will be held on Friday, April 29 at 10 am. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, MD.