This obituary was originally published on Rogers & Breece Funeral Home.
Cama Rouse Freeman, 79, of Clayton, formerly of Fayetteville and Hope Mills passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. She was two days shy of her 80th birthday. Cama fought a long and brave battle with Lewy-Body Dementia, with the first diagnosis in 2015. Her family surrounded her with love, compassion, and comfort during her final days.
Cama was the youngest daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret (Maggie) Budd Rouse of Hope Mills, NC. Cama was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Frankie Ray Freeman, in 2016. She was also predeceased by her older sisters, Peggy Rouse Lawrence and Etta Mae Rouse, brothers-in-law, Jerry Swanson and Bill Lawrence and nephew, Hylton Lawrence.
Cama was born on March 11, 1945 in Hope Mills, NC. She had a happy childhood and was doted on by her parents and her three older sisters. She attended school in Hope Mills and graduated from Hope Mills High School, class of 1963. She continued her post-secondary education at Campbell College and subsequently graduated from Pembroke State College in 1967, obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (K-9). Upon graduation, she began her teaching career with Cumberland County Schools which spanned more than thirty years. Her area of expertise was reading education, and she ultimately received her Masters of Education Degree with a Reading Specialty from Pembroke State University. Cama was an excellent teacher, and she was proud that she was able to share her love of reading and books with hundreds of students throughout her career. Former students, parents and administrators continue to compliment her teaching abilities and kind demeanor.
After her retirement, Cama became active in many clubs and service groups. She was a member of J.E.B. Stuart UDC, and was a long-time member and leader in the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). Cama was passionate about helping elevate the career status of teachers in the state of North Carolina. She spent many summer breaks attending local, state and national conventions supporting teachers in North Carolina and across the United States.
She was a long-time member of Hope Mills First Baptist Church and was a current member of Clayton Methodist Church.
Cama was a warm and caring person. She had a beautiful smile and even on days when she was in pain and did not feel well, she would flash that smile when she saw family and friends. Cama loved animals and she could never turn away stray cats that showed up at her door. She loved to feed animals that found their way to her homes, including squirrels, birds and deer.
She enjoyed baking and was always making special desserts for family gatherings. The family would tease her because she always brought cakes or pies missing one slice. She would tell us that “Ray had to test it to make sure it was good”. We always got a chuckle out of that. Cama enjoyed Friday night steak dinners with her husband and sisters and she always had special treats for dessert. This tradition began back in the late 1980s and continued until 2015. She enjoyed traveling and was able to see more than 40 states in the United States, as well as Hong Kong, Acapulco and the Caribbean Islands while traveling with her husband, sisters, friends and extended family.
Cama is survived by her remaining sister, Elizabeth Rouse Swanson of Clayton, NC. She is also survived by her nieces, Sharron Swanson Bryant and husband, Dale, Lynne Swanson Parrish and husband, Charles, Deanna Swanson Carter and husband, Chris, and Jill Swanson Clark and husband, Andrew, all of Clayton, NC, Robin Swanson Register and husband, Dallas and Phyllis Lawrence all of Dunn, NC. She is also survived by numerous cousins, great nieces and great nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 2pm with Reverend Dr. Dan Lyons officiating. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service from 12:45 to 1:45pm. Cama will be laid to rest at Cross Creek Cemetery #3.
In lieu of flowers, Cama’s family requests contributions in her memory be sent to Clayton Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1117 Clayton, NC 27520.
The family wishes to thank the administration and staff of Springbrook Nursing and Rehab Center and Kinsgwood Reserve Luxury Senior Living both of Clayton, NC and the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield, NC for the loving care and support provided Cama in the last months of her life. Their kindness and compassion were immeasurable and we will be forever grateful for their support.