Carmen H Cameron

Born on the 11th January, 1924, in Merrywood, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Carmen Hyacinth Howell was the younger daughter of David Howell and Alethia Patterson Howell.

At an early age, the family came to Montclair, NJ, where Carmen attended the George Washington School, and Glenfield Jr. High.  However, a return to the warmer climate of Jamaica was necessary, as her mother’s health started to fail.  In Jamaica, Carmen completed high school at St. John’s College, and went on to Durham College.  Upon graduating, Carmen entered the Jamaica Civil Service, and her sister, Lilith, returned to their father in Montclair, NJ.  In 1950, Carmen married Charles Cameron, and a few years later their daughter, April, was born.  

With a heart for God and service to others, Carmen sat on the Board of Directors for the YWCA in Kingston, Jamaica, where she developed a passion for tennis, while playing for the team.  At the same time, Carmen was also a Sunday School Teacher and organist at St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, and was a certified First Aid member of the St. John’s Ambulance Association.  Serving as a mentor, she was well loved by her group at the Rollington Town youth club, and when she had to leave, they wrote a personal heartfelt plea for her to stay, while wishing her well in her endeavors. She was also very active in preparing Spelling B participants, and received a citation from the teacher’s training college MICO.

Family, was Carmen’s lifeblood, so to speak.  She had grown up with a host of cousins, who were like brothers and sisters.  In fact, one, Joyce, visited Carmen’s mother’s home once, wanted to stay, and did.  Throughout her life, Carmen’s home has been home to relatives and friends in need or transition.  Like her mother, she grew up knowing everyone in their Patterson and Allen families, and passed their histories on to her daughter, April.

In May of 1969, Carmen migrated to join her sister in Somerville, NJ, where she was employed at RCA, in particular, the Solid-State division that was most influential in NASA’s first moon landing in July 1969.  She was excited about her work and proud of the division’s accomplishments; she also got to pursue her passion for tennis, playing for the RCA team. 

Always seeking to know how and where God wanted her to serve, Carmen joined St. John’s Episcopal Church, Somerville, where she served on the Altar Guild for over 30 years; her lemon meringue pies were always a treasure at the dinners.  She also co-founded the St. Genevieve Chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King, a Religious Order dedicated to prayer, service, and evangelism.  She led a Bible Study group, served on the Vestry, the Evangelism and Stewardship Committees, and the interim homeless program S.H.I.P.

In the community, Carmen joined the Somerville Mayor’s Human Relations Committee, served at the Food Bank, United Way, and sat on the town’s Board of Volunteers.  A tireless worker, Carmen participated in the Missionary Coalition of Churches, the multi-faith Hospitality Network at the Jewish Temple, and the Somerville Churches Meals programs.  Among her favorites was serving as a board member and as Administrative Secretary on the Somerset Chaplaincy to the Elderly; as a lifetime member of the National Council of Negro Women; Corp Planning Assistant in Somerset County; and as a Proctor at the NJ Bar exams.

Carmen loved music, including classical, jazz and reggae.  She enjoyed going to operas with her group of cousins and friends.  She was absolutely thrilled when she met Luciano Pavarotti... and he kissed her hand!  Carmen also had adeep reservoir of knowledge; she was an avid Jeopardy contender... at home.  She achieved her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Montclair State University in 1978.

Carmen is survived by her daughter, April, her husband, James McDaniel, and a host of relatives and friends.

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