Audrey Camille McLain Dale
97, Columbia
Because of current coronavirus concerns, a graveside service was held with immediate family in Woodlawn Cemetery for Audrey Camille McLain Dale, 97, of Columbia, who joyfully entered Heaven on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Dr. Bryant Barnes officiated at the service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Audrey Camille McLain Dale entered this world on March 29, 1923, a child of the late Myrtis Millis McLain and Melvin McLain. Her family came from Simpson County to Columbia where she met the love of her life, the late Judge Sebe Dale Jr. She and “Jimmy,” as she called him, were high school sweethearts and graduates of Columbia High School. When America entered WWII, Jimmy joined the Army Air Corps.
They married in 1943 in the presence of their parents and the Sunday congregation of Columbia’s First Baptist Church who were not given the option to leave before the wedding began. All of their lives they were faithful members of First Baptist. They made a home and some life-long friendships at various military air fields. At the end of the war, the couple moved to Oxford where she attended classes and worked there while he completed his law degree. Then they returned to their permanent home in Columbia where Camille, the proud wife of a new attorney-at-law, focused on family, church and community. She always said it was “where we were meant to be.”
In 1948, she assumed the role she cherished the rest of her life – “mother.” Within 31 months, the couple welcomed three children. While he built a law practice, she created a home for their busy family. Always involved in her children’s church, school and social activities, she was a mother who loved her children unconditionally all her life. She modeled for them unselfish love, forgiveness and a solid trust in the Almighty God. She taught them to appreciate and respect for their father and was always his greatest admirer. Later when grand children came along, Camille was a fun-filled “mom,” an eager playmate and a loving mentor.
During her children’s high school and college years, she contributed to the family income with her secretarial skills and created her own one woman business by representing the City of Columbia with her successful “Welcome Wagon.” Her sparkling personality and real interest in others made her perfectly suited to visiting the town’s newest families. Bringing gifts from merchants and city government, she actually became Columbia’s official “welcomer.”
Although she lived with crippling arthritis her entire adult life, she bravely never gave in to the disease. Her faith never wavered and she was always as beautiful inside as she was outside.
She was preceded in death by much of those she loved especially her parents; her husband, Sebe Dale Jr.; her youngest son, Charles Curtis Dale (Chuck); brother, Wilson McLain, and sister, Hazel McLain Veron.
She leaves behind her grateful children, daughter, Donna Lawrence (Don) of Columbia and son, Sebe Dale III (Amanda) of Oak Grove.
“Mom” will live always in the precious memories of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Paul Lawrence (Toni) and their children, Roman and Corban of Columbia; Amanda Banks (Josh) and children, Grayce McNabb and Conner Banks of Oak Grove; Scott Dale (Lauren) and children, Josie, Ollie, and John Brantley of Foxworth; Sebe Dale IV (Chelsea) and child, Hadley of Tega City, S.C. Mom also loved that she was given a bonus of two step-grandsons, Christopher and Kelly Herple of Oak Grove. She dearly loved all of them.
Those wishing to honor her in memory may donate to Columbia First Baptist Church. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.
Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia was in charge of the arrangements.
