Community honors child who died unexpectedly
KENTON, Tenn. — A West Tennessee community is mourning after one of their youngest members suddenly dies this week from an unknown illness.
Courtesy Mary Beth Chandler
Eight-year-old Camille Williams died early Tuesday morning. Her hometown of Kenton is now painting the town in her favorite colors as they promise to keep her legacy of love alive.
“She was a child who had a bright smile. I never saw her without a smile on her face,” Camille’s second grade teacher Jennifer Chandler said.
“She had a big impact on everybody. From home to home, everybody knew her. You just kind of expect to see her out running around,” New Salem Baptist Church Pastor Darrell Morgan said.
Doctors are still unsure how Camille died, but her community is determined she will live on through them.
“When I think about her over the last few days, I just see her smiling face and her joy that she gives to us, and she has blessed my life just to get to know her,” Joanna Simpson said as she helped make bows for the community.
Hundreds of bows decorate the town, her Kenton Family standing together during this tragedy.
“She was a ray of light. She was just bubbly and full of energy,” Kenton Elementary Principal Kevin Turner said.
Camille’s teacher said her kindness left a mark on her fellow students because she was willing to do anything to help a friend.
“Against my better judgment, I didn’t know, but evidently Camille shared those [her] snacks with everybody too, because a lot of the kids would say, ‘she would give me a snack when I didn’t have one,'” Chandler said.
Courtesy Mary Beth Chandler
Friday afternoon, the community came together to remember Camille with a balloon release.
“They decided that she is their guardian angel, with the biggest set of pink and purple wings, with lots of glitter,” Chandler said.
Visitation for Camille will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at New Salem Baptist Church with services following the visitation.
All of the funds raised through the bow sales will go to the family.
WBBJ spoke with State Health Department officials who said it’s highly unlikely the flu claimed Camille’s life.
