Mary Camper Houser, 91, passed away peacefully on Sept. 28, 2024, at Baldwin Park Senior Living in Staunton.

Born in Springwood on April 15, 1933, to parents Carl M. and Lula Booze Camper, she was one of 16 siblings raised on a dairy farm near Buchanan. 

After graduating from Buchanan High School in 1950, she worked in Buchanan, where she met her future husband, William G. “Willie” Houser. Mary and Willie were married in June 1952, and lived in Botetourt and Henrico counties until 1960.

They moved to Rockbridge County, where they lived in the Bustleburg and Fairfield communities for over 55 years. She and Willie had five children.  Mary was a devoted homemaker and talented baker, who was active in church, PTA, Band Boosters and other community organizations, and served as an adult leader for 4-H and church youth groups. 

She was a lifelong Lutheran, and was an active member of Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church at Alone Mill in Rockbridge County, where she served as church treasurer for many years, was the first woman elected to the Church Council, was a member and leader of the Lutheran Church Women, and served as adult leader for the Luther League youth group. 

Mary moved to Baldwin Park Senior Living in Staunton where she was active in exercise classes and other community activities, and was widely known and loved by her fellow residents, as well as members of the community staff.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Willie; sisters Louise C. Martin, Frances C. Mundy, Annie C. Buky, Dorothy C. Breeden, Laura C. Compton and Grace C. Brannan; and brothers Warren, Henry, Berkley, Joseph, Charles “Pee Wee,” and Donald Camper.

Mary is survived by daughter Mary Ellen (Gee) McVey; sons William Gibson Jr. (Karen), Robert (Jodie), David (Treva), and John (Nellie); grandchildren Will (Shalon), Brent, Alex, Robert, Samantha (Austin), Jack, Elizabeth, Mary Catherine, Mariah, and Amanda; great-grandchildren Ty, Shiloh, Preston, Trey, Houston and Tucker; and brothers Lawrence (Ruth) Camper, Paul “Doodle” Camper, and Larry (Helen) Camper; brother-in-law Leon Brannan; and many beloved relatives and friends.

Services will be held Thursday, Oct. 17,  at Harrison Funeral Home in Lexington at 2 p.m. with a reception following. Interment will be private. 

Memorial gifts may be made to the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad at https://svarescue.org/.

Funeral arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.