Former Henryettan, Margaret A. Cameron, celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 25.

A well-known Okmulgee County civic leader and retired social worker, Margaret moved from Kansas to Oklahoma in 1935. She currently lives in University Village in Tulsa.

Margaret Anna Helm was born Aug. 25, 1918 in Weir, KS. Her parents were Lon and Elizabeth Helm.

Her dad, Lon, Sr. was involved in coal mining in Kansas. She had a brother, Lon, Jr., who died in World War II and a sister, Ramona Hisle.

Graduating in a class of 65 students, she was the Valedictorian of Arma High School in 1935 during the “Great Depression.” That winter, Margaret moved to Henryetta where coal mining was flourishing and an uncle, Richard Pullen, offered her an office job in the Warden-Pullen coal mine.

Not long after moving to Henryetta, Margaret met David A. Cameron, an appliance sales manager at OTASCO, an elder in the local Presbyterian Church and a city councilman.

Margaret says David spotted her and a friend having cokes at Judy Drug one day and invited himself along to a movie at the Blaine Theater. Later, Margaret says, David admitted he’d already seen the movie.

They married June 13, 1938 and had three children, Dick Cameron of Charlotte, N.C., Judy Martin of Broken Arrow and Tom Cameron of Sand Springs. David died in February, 1962.

Margaret now has six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

An interesting note, David and Margaret were much involved in the Henryetta High School Band Parents where David was president of the band parents who headed up the fund drive to send the 1956 championship band to the California Rose Bowl. Margaret worked in the accounting department at PPG Industries from 1962 to 1970. She then went to work for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services working in the Okmulgee office as a social worker. She retired in 1984.

Over the years in Henryetta, Margaret was well-known for her love and work in the Presbyterian Church. She was also active in the Henryetta Hospital Auxiliary, The Ithana Club and Community Concert Series. She was an avid bridge player and was a member of several bridge clubs.

In later years, Margaret and several local girlfriends traveled around the country together and even went overseas.

Currently, Margaret continues to be interested in world events, enjoys card games where she lives and happily joins in board and domino games during family gatherings.

“Only God knows why I’ve lived this long,” Margaret shared when asked about her longevity, “but I’m glad to be here.”