JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Angela Campbell arrived at the Jacksonville Daily Record nearly 30 years ago with a strong work ethic and a good attitude. It didn’t matter that she lacked the experience. There was just something different about her.
She rose to the top of the media outlet as the fifth publisher, and first woman to hold that position, in the organization’s 116-year history.
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On Saturday, colleagues posted tributes on social media remembering Campbell, who died on the morning of June 25 at her residence in Springfield, according to a story on the outlet’s website. She was 49. The Daily Record is a News4JAX news partner.
Publisher emeritus James Bailey Jr. told the outlet in remembering “Angie” that she took a small opportunity and turned it into a career that helped the business thrive in ways that it hadn’t before.
“I hired Angie to be my receptionist when she was 20 years old even though she didn’t have any experience working in an office. She later became my assistant and then the company’s business manager,” he said.
“She took on every job and did it right every time — sometimes better than I had been doing it for more than 20 years,“ he continued. ”Angie changed the way I was able to run the business. She would always say that I gave her a chance, but the fact is she gave me and the company the chance to do everything we did.”
Campbell was essentially a lifelong Jacksonville resident whose story is inspirational.
She moved to Jacksonville when she was 4 years old, according to the Daily Record, and spent most of the rest of her life here. Campbell and her family grew up in Arlington, and she graduated from Parker High School.
In 1997, Campbell arrived at the Daily Record and began working as a receptionist for Bailey Jr.
Campbell touched every aspect of the Daily Record on her journey, from being the first face people saw as they walked through the door to leading the organization.
Matt Walsh, owner of the Daily Record and CEO of its parent company, the Observer Media Group, said in the JDR story that Campbell brought energy, a great attitude, and an unforgettable laugh to the building.
“Angie was much loved by our team in Jacksonville, her OMG colleagues and everyone who knew her in the Jacksonville business community,” he said. “She was always a source of positive, can-do energy. Her hearty laugh was infectious.”
As a well-known local name in Jacksonville, Campbell and her family also dealt with personal tragedy. Her nephew, Mark Degner, and Mark’s friend, Bryan Hayes, vanished after leaving Paxon Middle School on Feb. 10, 2005. Campbell’s mother, Darlene Briggs, never gave up hope of her grandson and Hayes being found. Campbell often spoke publicly about the family’s hope of being reunited with Mark. Sadly, Briggs preceded Campbell in death just last month.
According to the Daily Record’s report, citing the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Campbell’s death is “characterized as an apparent suicide.”
Campbell is survived by her husband of 25 years, Christopher; her son, Kyle, and his spouse, Sierra; a daughter, Kennedy; and grandson, Carter.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
Resources
Here is a list of mental health resources available in Florida.
- UF Health St. Johns Behavioral Health Resource Center - open 24/7 with clinicians on staff and available to assist during a crisis. No appointment is needed.
- EPIC Behavioral Health Rapid Response Team – 24/7 service for individuals 26+, dial 988, and a response will occur within 60 minutes of the request.
- EPIC Access Support Center – Walk-in services for mental health at their North Campus, Northwest Campus, and Flagler Campus. If this service is needed, walk-in during hours or call (904) 495-7001.
- Mobile Response Team – 24/7 service for individuals 5-25 years old. Dial 988 or 911 and a response will occur within 60 minutes of the request.
- Vinson Foundation - A support group for St. Johns, Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, and Orange Park, for families who lost someone to suicide.
- St. Augustine Youth Services: 904-829-1770
- Call 211 - Local experts are available 24/7 to help. Calls to 211 are confidential and can be anonymous.
- Hope for Healing Florida - Hope for Healing navigates the many ways Floridians can access help for mental health and substance abuse