The woman who gave her family home and land so that children in our parish could be exposed to the arts died Saturday. A memorial in her honor will be held in the West Wing Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Minden Saturday, September 20, at 10am.
Zenobia Camp West left an edible mark upon this community. Her love of music and the arts led her to donate her family’s property to Cultural Crossroads in 1999, a local non profit arts organization which she co-founded. Cultural Crossroads developed the four acres homestead and made it the site of their annual Spring Arts Festival where thousands of children have experienced the joys of art free of charge since it’s inception in 1993.
Zenobia was actively involved in the early days of Cultural Crossroads while serving as a charter board member and later as an honorary lifetime member. The children of our parish knew her as Mrs. West and they fondly referred to her gift as ‘the Farm.’
Her generosity and dedication to the cultural enrichment of Minden’s children was acknowledged in 2000 when she was named Minden’s “Woman of the Year.” Her vision and passion for the arts were awarded in 1999 when Cultural Crossroads presented her with their “Visionary Award.”
She was a strong and independent woman who touched many lives through her phone calls and letters. Her selfless nature and acts of kindness were felt by many in her community and she always did it quietly expecting nothing in return. Her presence on this earth left an example for us all and her sweet, generous and gentle nature will be greatly missed.
Zenobia Camp West died Saturday, September 13th at her home at the age of 88. Mrs. West was born on December 17th, 1919 in Minden, Louisiana. She graduated from Minden High School in 1936 and went on to attend LSU majoring in music and receiving a fine arts degree. She was an accomplished and versatile musician known to play up to thirteen different instruments. She also attended Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and received a degree in nursing.
Zenobia West is preceeded in death by her husband Dr. Wilmer West whom she met and fell in love with while attending LSU. Her mother and father, Robert W. Camp and LaDora Moess Camp, her grandparents, Mary Fuller Moess and Frederick Moess, her aunts Maggie Moess and Treebie Moess.
She is survived by her sister Margery Maggiore, her only daughter Alicia Myers and her husband Carl Myers, her grandchildren Michelle Hall, Mary Phillips Dalm, Maggie Maier and her great grand children Dalton Hall, Allen Phillips, Maggie Maier, Devon Maier and Kelsey Maier. She is also survived by her nieces Walta, Carol Thomas, Suzanne Cooper, Betty Moess Galbreath and many nieces and nephews on her husband’s side.
Memorials may be made to Cultural Crossroads Farm Project, P.O. Box 1393, Minden, Louisiana 71058; Hospice; the senior ministry at the First Baptist Church in Minden or the music ministry at the church of your choice.
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