The Memorial Wall

With heavy hearts, we share that our beloved patriarch Michael J. Camras passed away on Wednesday July 13, 2022. He was 84.
Michael was first and foremost a devoted and loving husband to his beloved Linda. They shared 35 blessed years together, enjoying life, travel, bridge, and mostly, their children and grandchildren.
Michael dedicated his life to ensuring family togetherness. He created lasting memories for his 7 children, their spouses, and his 12 grandchildren through family vacations and celebrations. He made it a priority to be present at school plays, dance recitals, football, baseball, basketball and soccer games. Michael shined most when surrounded by "his kinder" and was always the biggest kid amongst the grandkids, encouraging them to eat dessert first!
Born and raised in Chicago, Michael graduated from the University of Michigan, followed by a law degree from the University of California Berkeley (formerly Boalt).
He had a keen and sharp mind, building his own practice as a well-respected attorney, real estate appraiser and businessman. He was an avid reader, stellar bridge player, and enjoyed golf, skiing and travel.
Michael is survived by his beloved wife Linda, his children Natalie, Richard (Carolyn), Marc (Bilge), David (Emily), Darren, Kevin (Carol), Trina (Dax), Elizabeth and grandchildren Sage, Talya, Aren, Eytan, Noah, Gavin, Jackson, Fletcher, Jeremy, Holden, Lexi, and Eliana.
Michael, Dad, PopPop: You are forever our beloved patriarch and your legacy will live on through us and for generations to come.

Dr. Margaree Seawright Crosby, age 82, formerly of Taylors, SC, passed away Friday, November 8, 2024. Born in Greenville County, SC, she was a daughter of the late Mark Seawright and Josie Williams Seawright. She was the youngest of four girls. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and she was later baptized and joined the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville. 

In 1959, Dr. Crosby graduated from Sterling High School in Greenville, SC and at the age of seventeen, during the summer, she secured her first job serving food trays at Greenville General Hospital. It was there she began to show signs of determination that would define her career—from the kitchen to the boardroom.

In 1960, she made her first mark in the fight for civil rights and equality as one of the “Greenville Eight”. This was a group of students, including Reverend Jessie Jackson, who sat in protest, resulting in the desegregation of the Greenville County Public Library. Her courage and activism reflected her commitment to social change and her belief in the importance of fighting for what was right. 

In 1963, Dr. Crosby graduated from South Carolina State College, where she earned her B.A. Degree in Elementary Education. While there, she met her soulmate, the late Dr. Willis Herman Crosby, Jr., who affectionately called her “Ree”. They were later married that summer on June 22 and were happily married for almost sixty years until he passed away in 2022.

Dr. Crosby’s dream and aspirations did not stop there. In 1973, she earned her Master of Education in Reading from Clemson University.  In 1976, she earned her Doctor of Education in Reading/Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She began working at Clemson University in 1977, becoming a full reading and language arts professor. Dr. Crosby had a distinguished career as an educator, shaping the minds of countless students with her passion for learning. Her academic journey was a testament to her determination and belief in the transformative power of education. Dr. Crosby retired in 1985 as Professor Emerita of Clemson University.

In 1984, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and in 1988 with breast cancer, which drove her to become a national spokesperson for breast cancer awareness.  Although she suffered from debilitating chronic migraines since the year 2000, she also fought Parkinson’s Disease since 2019.

Dr. Crosby’s influence extended beyond her health and the classroom. She was also a proud Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Tau Omega Chapter, where she participated in the sorority’s mission of sisterhood and service. Likewise, Dr. Crosby was a Charter Associate and Life Member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Greenville Chapter; Charter Member of The MOLES, Greenville Chapter; Quette of Mu Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; a member The Chums, Greenville Chapter, as well as many other organizations.

Dr. Crosby’s life was filled with many ground-breaking accomplishments. She was the first woman board member to serve in the over eighty year history of the Greenville Memorial Hospital System, and the first African-American female to become a Professor of Education at Clemson University, where she tenured in 1992. She was also South Carolina’s first Women’s Achievement Award recipient, in addition to Who’s Who in American Education—all milestones that are a testament to her leadership and commitment. Dr. Crosby has made endless educational, service, and civic contributions on the local, state, and national levels in supervisory teaching, research, and consulting.

A loving family survived her, one daughter, Michelle (Kenneth) Beasley of Simpsonville; two sons, Anthony Crosby of Atlanta, GA and Erich (Tracy) Garrett of Greenville; one sister, Betty Seawright Doyley of Greenville; eight grandchildren, Lauren Alexis Beasley, Peyton Rockefeller Beasley, Anjali Bianca Crosby, Avi Bernard Crosby, Bri Young, Tyrell Young, Domonique Garrett, and Adrian Mansell; one great-grandchild, Cairo Young; a host of nieces, nephews, colleagues, former students, and countless dear friends whose lives she touched with her wisdom, warmth, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her life reminds us of the power of education, the importance of community, and the need to fight for justice and equality. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Gerald Dale Harding (75), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully Friday, September 6, 2024, at home with his loving wife, Kris, by his side. Despite an almost 20-year battle with Parkinson's Disease, he never lost his sense of humor and gentle heart, finding ways to connect with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren even when words became hard to find. Fondly known to friends and family by his middle name, Dale was born on November 30, 1948. He grew up in a house built by his father on Sycamore St. in Baton Rouge and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Istrouma High School in 1966 and was a Nawaganti Indian dancer there. During the Vietnam War, Dale joined the Naval Reserve and served as a Hospital Corpsman stationed in Japan. There he made the trek to the top of Mt. Fuji. After returning, Dale resumed working for Exxon, completing two apprenticeships. Startingat the Refinery and then later at the Chemical plant as an analyzer technician, Dale's career with Exxon spanned over 35 years. He loved the outdoors, enjoyed fishing with his brothers, and backpacking in the Collegiate Peaks backcountry in Colorado with friends and family. As a self-taught guitarist, Dale found music a source of expression. Church, his faith, and the community that came with attending St. John's UMC were important parts of Dale's life for many years. He served on the trustees' committee for many years, was in the praise band, sang in the choir, both services every Sunday, and especially loved to sing in the sunrise service on Easter. He accompanied the St. John's youth group on the Appalachian Service Project several times and always found meaning and joy in the experience. He was a simple, straightforward man with a big heart who will be missed by all who knew him. Dale's loving spirit is carried on by his wife of 50 years, Kristen, his two daughters, Jennifer Harding (Ben Owens) and Meghan (Chris) Audler, and three grandchildren, Wyatt Audler, Hayes Audler, and Atticus Owens. Dale leaves behind two brothers, Cliff (Connie) Harding; their daughters Alicia (James) Jarreau and Cathy (Todd) Jackson, and David Harding; his children Ryan Harding, Erin Harding (Candace O'Brien), and Mattie Harding and their mother Debbie Stout-Harding. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Martha Jean Harding. The family extends special appreciation to his caregivers, Nakesha, Sime, and Demetric, for their patience, compassion, and good humor, as well as to the Hospice of Baton Rouge staff. 

"Baywatch" actor Michael Newman, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006, died Sunday, his director and friend confirmed. He was 68.

Matthew Felker, Newman's close friend and director of the recent Hulu docuseries "After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun," confirmed the news Monday on Instagram.

Felker said there were times he wanted to quit creating the docuseries, but then he "remembered Mike" and "couldn't let him down." He also said that before Newman died, he read him letters and played videos from friends from all walks of life, so "he knew he was loved."

"I lost my friend. A hero. My hero," he wrote. "Thanks for coming into my life Newmie. Even if it was a brief time."

Felker told People magazine that Newman died Sunday night of "heart complications," surrounded by friends and family.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 50, Newman revealed what life with the disease was like in the docuseries, which profiled cast members' lives after they starred in "Baywatch." He said he'd often wake up "jittery" after having taken 10 medications a day.

Born in Los Angeles, he rose to stardom in the '90s as the beloved lifeguard Mike "Newmie" Newman on "Baywatch" and was the only cast member with real-life lifeguarding experience. Over the course of the show’s 1989-2001 run, he appeared in 150 episodes — second only to David Hasselhoff. 

"Baywatch" centered on a team of lifeguards, led by Lt. Mitch Buchannon (Hasselhoff), as they saved lives, managed personal dramas, combated crime and adventured along the shores of Los Angeles. Newman shared the screen with Pamela Anderson, Nicole Eggert, Yasmine Bleeth and Jeremy Jackson.

He was also a full-time firefighter, balancing his duties at the firehouse with his filming schedule. After the series concluded, he continued firefighting for another 25 years before he retired.

He reprised his role as Newmie in three episodes of the 1995 spinoff series "Baywatch Nights."

Newman is survived by his wife, Sarah, whom he married 36 years ago; his grown children, Chris and Emily; and his 1-year-old granddaughter, Charlie.

Rich Caster, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, including eight with the Jets after the team drafted him in the second round in 1970, died Friday, according to the Clarion Ledger.

Caster was 75 and had been battling Parkinson’s disease.

The tight end/wide receiver was named to three Pro Bowls — all with the Jets — in 1972, 1974 and 1975.

Caster played in college at Jackson State University and his former college teammate, James Hartfield, confirmed Caster’s death to the Clarion Ledger, telling the paper, “I am really sad to hear about his passing. He was a great person and [a] great wide receiver.”

Caster spent 1970-77 with the Jets and is 10th in franchise history with 4,434 yards.

He’s also seventh in team history with 36 touchdown receptions.

The 6-foot-5, 228-pound Caster went on to play three seasons with the Houston Oilers and split his final two NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins.

He ended with 322 receptions, 5,515 yards and 45 touchdowns.