Rev. Dennis W. "Bud" Cameron

Surrounded by his family, Rev. Dennis Wayne “Bud” Cameron, 76, peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Vickie Dobbins Cameron; beloved daughters, Mary Gordon and McKay Valanejad; devoted sons-in-law, Jason Gordon and Arya Valanejad; and three precious grandchildren, Gracyn, Bailey and Grant Gordon, who will greatly miss their Papa.

He is also survived by a sister, Anita Cameron Carter; one niece, Dana Carter Hendrick; and five nephews, Brent Carter, Seth Carter, Ethan Carter, Nick Cameron and Shane Cameron.

Also left to cherish his memory is his brother- and sister-in-law, Rickey and Donna Dobbins; a dear friend, Greg Lawson, who he considered a son; and many other extended family members and friends.

Cameron was born in Lee County, N.C., on March 23, 1947, the son of Christian parents, George Rosser Cameron and Ruth McKay Smith Cameron, both of whom preceded him in death. He grew up on a farm in Cameron, N.C., attended Cypress Presbyterian Church, was active in 4-H, graduated from Union Pines High School then earned his associate degree from Sandhills Community College.

From there, he went to Appalachian State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in education. During his senior year, he was assigned to do his student teaching at North Surry High School (NSHS) in Mount Airy, N.C. This was the first time he had ever been to Surry County.

After graduation, R.O. Poplin offered Cameron a full-time position at NSHS, so he moved to Mount Airy in 1969 to teach U.S. and World History and eventually serve as Key Club adviser. He firmly believed God brought him to Surry County, where he met his wife, raised his daughters and served God and his community.

In 1976, after several years in education, Cameron ran for and won the office of Surry County Register of Deeds. He and his beloved staff dutifully served the people of Surry County for 28 years before he retired in 2004. Due to his lasting contributions to the North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds, he was honored earlier this year with a scholarship that will be bestowed annually in his name.

Cameron also taught notary instruction at Surry Community College for 28 years, founded the Northwest Notary Society of N.C. and served on the N.C. Notary Association.

During his professional career, Cameron also felt God’s call to ministry. He became a licensed local pastor of the Western Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1986 and faithfully served the congregations of Fellowship, Beulah, Zion, Mount Herman, Hatchers Chapel, Salem, Epworth, Franklin Heights and Maple Grove.

During that time, he also completed the United Methodist Ministerial Course of Study through Emory University and Duke Divinity School and served as adjunct chaplain at Northern Regional Hospital in Surry County.

He “retired” from ministry in 2019 at age 72, but God wasn’t done with him yet. Because he was spending more time in Raleigh, the Capital District of the United Methodist Church called Cameron to serve as pastor at Corinth United Methodist Church in Four Oaks, N.C., until he retired, again, in 2022, due to health complications. Even then, he was regularly called upon by pastors across the state to fill in as needed.

In addition to his church service, he was involved in the community through Kiwanis, Ruritan, Surry County Historical Society, Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, Surry County Genealogical Association, Easter Seal Society, Surry Arts Council, Scottish Heritage Society, Greater Mount Airy Mission Society, Surry Democratic Party and more.

Cameron loved genealogy and published eight books about family and church history. Amongst his other accomplishments include being inducted into the Order of the Longleaf Pine by the Governor of N.C. and becoming a fellow of the Society of John Wesley.

More than anything, Cameron wanted to be remembered for two things: 1. His lifelong commitment to serving God in Christian service through teaching, ministry and public service, and 2. The love he had for his family, friends, church congregations and other people he met along life’s journey.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Harold Cameron, brother-in-law, Lane Carter, beloved in-laws, Ralph and Irene Dobbins, and a host of other cherished family and friends.

The Cameron family will receive friends at Central United Methodist Church in Mount Airy, N.C. on Friday, July 21, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 22, at 2:00 p.m. followed by a graveside service at Fairview Baptist Church in Dobson, N.C.

Celebration of Life services will also be held at Church at Six Forks in Raleigh, N.C., and Cypress Springs Presbyterian Church in Cameron, N.C. at later dates.

In lieu of flowers, Cameron requested that donations be made to Central United Methodist Church, 1909 North Main St., Mount Airy, NC 27030, or one of the churches Cameron has served (listed above), or to a church or charity of the donor’s choice.