Eunice Faye Donaldson Campbell was born on October 18, 1935 to the late Marie Yette and Cecil Donaldson in Harriman, Tennessee. She spent her early childhood between Harriman, and Morristown with her grandparents Frank “Mack” and Cora Yette and in Johnson City, Tennessee, with Cecil and Willa Donaldson.
After her parents divorced, Marie married Ernest Reynolds in 1946 and Eunice and her brother Audrey “George” moved to New York with Marie. Marie and Ernest would later welcome three children, Monica Rene’, Alan “Craig”, and Kenya Starr and Eunice became “Eunie” to her younger siblings. She started junior high school at PS 45 in Brooklyn, NY the fall of 1948. As she learned she to sew, she realized that she was required to sew her own 8th grade graduation dress. She chose an eyelet fabric and proudly wore the dress to her graduation in the spring of 1949. She would later graduate from Girls High School in 1953. Eunice was a ballerina and realized the limited opportunities for ballerinas of color at the time, with the exception of becoming a showgirl in Atlantic City. She chose to enroll at Tennessee A&I College, currently known as Tennessee State University, where several of her aunts and uncles had matriculated before her.
Eunice met Calvin C. Campbell in a freshman English class. She was nominated for Miss Freshman, however she declined the nomination. She also sang in the choir and would later enjoy listening to the Hallelujah Chorus at Christmas time, likely due to her time in the choir. Her quick wit, northern accent, and quiet outspokenness, caused her to acquire the name “Jazz” by many of Calvin’s friends, one in particular was Nathaniel “Stickman” Daniels. “Stickman” was a gifted baton twirler. Calvin was a snare drummer in the band. Eunice was later recruited to become a majorette. The band made history. It became the first all black marching band to perform on national television when they performed at a half time show during a Chicago Bears-Rams game in 1955. It was there that the band became known as “The Aristocrat of Bands”, a name that has endured to this day. A photograph of the band now appears in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.
Calvin and Eunice became engaged on Valentine’s Day in 1958. Calvin enlisted in the US Army, becoming a paratrooper and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. They married on July 6, 1958 in Wyandanch, NY. Their first daughter, Rhonda Lynn, was born in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. The new parents remained in Ft. Bragg until 1960 when Calvin was honorably discharged from the Army, and moved back to Nashville. Their second daughter, Jill Marie, was born there. Eunice worked for the renowned McKissick and McKissick architectural firm, and later at Meharry Medical College until 1968 when Calvin accepted a position with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now DEA).
This job required the family to relocate to Miami, Florida. Their last child, Jennifer Emmette, was born in North Miami Beach, Florida. Eunice would spend much of this time raising her girls alone, as Calvin was away training for the new position, and as a special agent, working undercover in and out of the country. During her time in Miami, Eunice graduated from the newly opened Florida International University with a degree in education.
When her daughters were younger, she gave wonderful birthday parties for them. Utilizing her teaching skills, Eunice would incorporate math into the games, awarding a prize for the smallest, largest, oldest, youngest, first guests to arrive and more. Neighborhood children would gather at their home and enjoy the games and treats she would offer. The girls had many friends, and she never complained about all of the “company” her daughters had. She truly had a welcoming rapport with children. The entire drum and saxophone section from Rhonda’s high school band would camp out, play pool in pong, snack, and read Jet Magazines at their home. These activities became a favorite pastime for children in the neighborhood. She was actively involved with the neighborhood children as well as her biological children. Eunice never missed a soccer game or a track meet Jennifer participated in. In 1982, Eunice took her daughters on a girl’s road trip to the World Fair in Knoxville, TN, driving from Miami, with one adult and two teenage daughters, which took courage because there were no cell phones or Global Positioning Systems (GPS) available at the time. She had also attended the World’s Fair in New York in 1964 with Calvin and Rhonda while visiting her family there.
Eunice taught at Arcola Lake Elementary School in the Miami-Dade school system for many years until, the family moved, once again, this time to Chantilly, VA in 1983. The family lived there until it began to divide, Rhonda married and Jill went off to college. Calvin transferred for the final time, settling in Memphis, Tennessee with Eunice and Jennifer who was a senior in high school at the time.
After Calvin’s death in 1990, Eunice remained in Memphis and received her Master’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. She began teaching at Larose Elementary School, Riverview Elementary and finally at Jackson Elementary where she retired in 1999, passing the torch to her daughter, Jennifer, who says her mother “taught her how to teach”. After retiring, Eunice was very supportive of Jennifer’s career, setting up her classrooms, cutting out and assembling decorations, making treat bags and always providing assistance when needed. Eunice was an active member of the Big Blue Club and the Tennessee State Alumni organization in Memphis, TN. She served as the corresponding secretary for many years. Former TSU classmates and band members gathered at her home to gift her with a signed band poster after Calvin’s death.
Eunice spoiled her daughters and grandchildren, taking them on holiday vacations, purchasing cars for their birthdays and also when needed. She also gave thoughtful and practical gifts. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, embroidery, and sketching. Black walnut and butter pecan ice cream were staples in her freezer as was Pepsi in her refrigerator. QVC was one of her favorite channels, and packages were always arriving at her home. Eunice enjoyed lunches and outings with her book club members, with her late aunt Agnes Yette Anderson and her cousin Paula Yette Polite. Shopping, and eating out with her daughters and grandchildren were always a weekend activity. She attended and taught the Culture Camp that Rhonda developed at a local park and also supported programs held at the various museums where Rhonda worked. Eunice attended her grandchildren’s birthday parties, track meets, football games, banquets, and dance recitals. She was a hands-on mother and grandmother. She was a joyful and willing babysitter to all of her grandchildren at some time in their lives. Her grandchildren enjoyed the Easter egg hunts that were sometimes indoors depending on the weather, and hunting for the coveted golden egg, which contained cash. Other eggs contained smaller amounts of money, so there were never any actual losers. She would make poached eggs for them and serve them in fancy egg cups. Eunice was known for her delicious beef stew and oatmeal cookies.
When Eunice became ill she moved to LifePointe Village where she lived for 13 years. She faced challenges, but never complained. She was able to attend family reunions in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, and Memphis. During the pandemic, the family would visit her through a window. Although she was unable to attend all of her grandchildren’s graduations, she admired their degrees and certificates, and was very proud of their accomplishments.
Family members and friends from as far away as Dubai United Arab Emeritus and Hawaii submitted birthday greetings to help compose a video for Eunice’s 90th birthday celebration in October of 2025. She was very pleased to see and listen to the kind words and birthday wishes extended to her. An elaborate birthday party was given in her honor, and although she was unable to attend, she was aware of it and enjoyed seeing the photos and videos that were taken that day.
Eunice is survived by her daughters; Rhonda Campbell Culver of Memphis, TN, Jill Campbell Trent of Nashville, TN and Jennifer Campbell Preston (Quincy) of Southaven, Mississippi, Grandchildren; Cameron and Shelby Culver, Hayley, Kylee and Ariel Trent, Chase Harris, and Brock Preston, Siblings; Monica Reynolds Perry (Henry), Alan “Craig” Reynolds, and Kenya Reynolds Beckham. In-Laws; James “Jim” Campbell (Bernice) and Patsy Campbell Petway. Nieces and Nephews; Michael (Marva), Lisa, and Portia Donaldson, Nicole and Henry “Tre” Perry, Marcus, Melanie, and Mason Reynolds, Gregory Jr. and Geoffrey Beckham, Aquilla White, Beverly Wilcox (Carver Sr.), Craig “Rocky” Colbert, Pamela Busby, Gail Busby Chapman (Peter), Suzanne Busby, Carlton Jr. and Patrick Petway.
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This obituary was published by Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors.
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