Rhoda Campbell

 

 

Rhoda was hired as the Executive Director for BGCSM.  She was coming from Colorodo and the most I knew about her was that she had years of Boys & Girls Clubs expereince.  I knew she was married and had a daughter.  When I met her there was an instant connection.  Something about her Bold but gentle personality reminded me so much of Doris Jean.  It was the most comforting feeling ever. I was her Director of Operations and it was my job to introduce her to all of our community partners, employees and funders.  We worked so well together and had the same vision for the youth and surrounding communities.  We spent so much time together.  Her positive energy and love for what she did was infectious. I respected her deeply. We had multiple programs in 2 counties and we were talking to community leaders in a third county to start a pilot program.  We had converted an old abandoned school into a Club in one of the toughest neighborhoods so that kids would have a safe space to grow and learn.  She was 100% for the kids and I loved it as that was my focus too. We worked hard but she worked harder.  Sean was out to sea off and on and I was raising this amazing toddler that I was crazy about.  There were a lot of community events and she would go to most of them with her sister Betty to allow me more time with Jacob.  Betty had moved with Rhoda and her family to MD. Betty was so much fun to be around and you rarely saw Rhoda without Betty.   

On October 16, 2004, I was in DE attending a funeral.  When I got home to MD. I had at least 15 messages on my answering machine.  I knew something was wrong, I just could not have imagined what I was about to be told.  Rhoda was at an event promoting our programs. She started feeling odd and felt numbness in her chin.  She asked Betty to take her to the hospital.  They were running tests on her trying to figure out what was happening.  She looked at Betty and said I am being called home to be with the Lord, something to those regards and then passed away.  Rhoda was 48. 

I just could not process this information.  That Friday before she died she told me to come look at her desk.  She usually had things all over the place, organized chaos and I was the exact opposite. She was so proud that she had got things in order.  I drove to work that morning after she passed and just sat in the parking lot and sobbed. It was only by God I was able to walk through our office doors. I walked right to her desk and layed my head down and cried. I knew I had to get myself together and be strong for the other employees, the communtiy, just everyone. I was asked by the Board to attend a Rotary meeting as Rhoda was scheduled to attend. I remember sitting there and thinking that the only reason I am there is because she is not. Tears just streamed down my face.  Sean was about to be busy with his work schedule and another deployment was on the horizon.  I was asked by the Board if I would consider taking her position as Executive Director.  I was 32, my husband was about to leave for a long period of time, how could I effectively take care of this baby that I had always prayed for?  My heart was completely broken as I had lost not only a terrific boss but a very dear, close friend.  After much consideration, praying and talking it over with Sean, I resigned from BGCSM as I knew I could not be an effective mom and leader and give all that was required of me in that position. It was the toughest decision I have ever had to make.  Rhoda and I had blood, sweat and tears in those programs.  I knew I had to choose my son.  We sold our house in Maryland and rented a sweet little beach house as our house sold so quickly.  Sean was getting ready to be stationed in Norfolk and we decided we would move back to Delaware as he would be out to sea regularly in Norfolk.  I gave up the career, the money and Maryland for my family. It is a decision I have never regretted. Other than my mom, Doris Jean, Rhoda was one of the BEST humans I have ever met.  I still think about her and what we could have created together.  A lot of the money and grants stopped coming in and unfortunately BGCSM has downsized tremendously. 

Life is short my friend! This was another door that opened wide for me but it was not the BEST for me at the time. My priority was family and I never looked back.  Delaware here we come!