FAYETTEVILLE — She was tiny, mighty, independent, and extremely generous. Camilla (“Cam”) Ruth Crouch

was born on Aug. 6, 1936, and died unexpectedly at her home on Aug. 8, 2021. She endured many years of health issues and always managed to bounce back, so her death came as a shock to her friends, family, neighbors, and former colleagues.

It’s understandable that her loving husband of 66 years, retired Marine MSgt Ralph D. Crouch, is heartbroken. They’ve been side-byside laughing, loving life, partying, doing swing, jitterbug and square dancing, enjoying wonderful food and cocktails, and traveling to a variety of events, activities, and places over the years. When they first met, she thought he was a rabble-rouser, and he thought she had a great pair of legs and was one good-looking gal. Throughout their marriage, she was fortunate to find little love notes and cards at their home or in her car that he had written her, and she proudly displayed and cherished them all. One of her many favorites was a small trophy labeled “World’s Greatest Sweetheart.”

She was a true Marine wife, packing and moving the family across the country during Ralph’s 20-year career, and holding down the fort, so to speak, during his two tours in Vietnam. She was rewarded during his R&R from the war in Hawaii when she, a huge fan of Elvis Presley, got to see him up close at a concert. When he died, she came home from work and collapsed on the sofa distraught over his untimely death.

Cam believed in organ transplants long before she needed one, as noted by the stickers on her car and her participation in related organizations. As a 13-year kidney transplant recipient, she lovingly tended to her kidney and took exceptional care of it and was forever grateful to Dr. Hey, her nephrologist — and for the donor family’s generosity — and cherished the extended life it provided her.

Many people probably would have given up dealing with health issues, but she felt there was no time to waste and was even more determined to accomplish as much as possible while she was on earth. She did not seek recognition, but rather wanted to help people, animals, organizations, foundations, and businesses in any manner needed. Even so, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) recognized her commitment and dedication with a ‘Life’ Membership, and the Northside Rotary Kidney Walkathon awarded her with a Certificate of Appreciation for her dedication and support of the Angel Kidney Fund.

Cam believed there was good in everyone and did her very best to help those in need: animal shelters, food banks, clothes closets, park systems, and more. She believed in mentoring people and fostering and adopting animals. She dearly loved and spoiled their three dogs, Coco, Georgia, and Annie B. Good. As it should be, she would always say. Without question, she donated her stimulus check during the pandemic to a local food bank. Talk about their surprise. As a former Marine wife, she continued her support of the military with donations to the American Legion, DFW, and Wounded Warriors.

Being organized, and detailand quality- oriented benefited the Fayetteville Library, where she spent endless hours for a few years as a volunteer researching and entering obituaries from the 1900s into their new system. She was also an active member of the Ozark Literacy Council for many years and did her best to bring about positive change and improve literacy in northwest Arkansas.

Her children are thankful for the many traits that she instilled in them and that they passed on to their children: kindness, good manners, generosity, strong willed, laughter, being detailed-oriented and organized, cooking, gardening, reading, volunteerism, and travel. They remember the many fun weekends in California spent at the campground with a pool close to the beach and the travels across the U.S. when moving to a new base or home location. Her granddaughters reaped the benefits of staying a few weeks in the summers. Cooking, pottery and darkroom classes, miniature golf, eating out, visiting fun places, and doing exciting things were on the menu — with lots of laughs sprinkled in during their stay. Playing Pitch and Hand and Foot Card Games with family always drew lots of giggles and laughter.

By no means was she a perfect person, but she strived everyday to do good by friends, family, former colleagues, nrothwest Arkansas, and the country with her time, monetary donations, things, and support.

She also strived to provide the best support and customer service — and asked the same of others — during her 30+ years as a Federal Employee at the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Dietetics Department and later when promoted to Public Affairs Specialist. She was grateful to have made many lifelong friends from working at the VA.

She read the newspaper from cover to cover every day and could tell you about the area, births/deaths, new suburbs being built, and events being held throughout the area.

She often disappeared for hours in her little Honda Accord scouting out the area and things after reading the paper. As an avid reader, she regularly had stacks of books next to her chair in the den or the Road Atlas handy scouting out upcoming or longterm travels.

She loved playing the slots in Vegas before visiting her mother in the dessert and attending the Oaklawn Horse Races in Hot Springs with Ralph and friends.

She was a donor and major sponsor of the Lady Razorbacks long before they became popular, cheering them on with Ralph even when the crowds were sparse. She and Ralph enjoyed attending an awards dinner and personally meeting the team. Others who benefitted were the University Men’s Baseball Team, Walton Arts Center, Gulley Park and Summer Concert Series, The Attic Thrift Store, Local Food Bank, Animal Shelters, Save Them All Best Friends Animal Society, American Kidney Fund ( AKF), The Organ and Tissue Donor Program/ National Kidney Foundation, Breast Cancer Foundation, and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

She created the 80+ Birthday Club at the Sequoyah United Methodist Church and personally delivered a mini cake and card to members home bound, much to their surprise and appreciation. She found much joy in recognizing them on their important day.

Her perennial gardening skills were such that neighbors thought she was a master gardener. Her home gardens were beautiful and serene, thanks to her knowledge, energy, and time spent creating and caring for them.

She was a collector of many lovely, interesting, and beautiful things acquired during her many travels and from local artists in Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, and from arts and craft fairs attended over the years.

Cam will be greatly missed by her family: Ralph D. Crouch, her husband of 66 years; Michael Crouch, son; Marilyn Pospisil, daughter, husband Stephen, and granddaughter Paige; Jessica Gray, granddaughter, husband Kenny, and children Zane, Marshall, Trent, and Annabelle.

She died as she lived — on her own terms.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to local animal shelters, food banks, clothes closets, and military organizations.

Her kids would appreciate you thinking of Ralph and sending a card to him at 1619 E. Stewart St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72703, with an interesting or fun story about their mom.

Family will welcome visitors on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, from 10 a. m. to 12 p. m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, 4520 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville. A private family graveside service will be held at the Garden of Peace overlooking the duck/geese pond at the Fairview Memorial Gardens. Sara Pair, Minister at Sequoyah Methodist Church, will read a scripture and say a prayer.

You can place an online tribute at www.bernafuneralhomes.com .