Neila Gayle Campbell Hutson

Neila Gayle Campbell Hutson, age 70, of Gainesville, FL, went to her heavenly home surrounded by her family at home on September 28, 2021 after a long-fought battle with brain cancer. She was born on April 17, 1951 in Barbourville, KY to Ted Davis Campbell and Nora Hammons Campbell. She grew up in Knox County, Kentucky with her sister Ada and brother David. She was the Valedictorian of Knox Central High School’s class of 1969 where she attended with her “brother cousin,” George Hammons. She enjoyed cruising around in his ‘38 Chevy. She was voted “Best All Around Girl” in the Senior Superlatives.

She received a scholarship to study at Lincoln Memorial University. While there she served as the President of Kappa Pi Omega sorority. She used to share stories about throwing (authorized) parties in Cudjo’s Cave in Cumberland Gap near campus. Neila loved to help people. She taught the Young Teenager Sunday School class at Artemus Baptist Church. She graduated with a degree in Sociology and English. She began her career as a Licensed Social Worker in Kentucky and later in Tennessee. 

Neila met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Douglas Hutson, at work. He told his brother he didn’t want to date Neila at first because he would marry her and he was not ready to get married. After some time as friends Bob and Neila started dating and eloped on August 23, 1977 in Carson City, NV.  The couple moved to Tennessee and after a few years Neila left social work to start a family. Bob took a position with Shands Hospital and the family moved to Gainesville, FL in January 1992 where they raised their three children: Rachel, Mary, and Richard.

Neila actively volunteered in her children’s schools. Through her volunteer work, and time at the Haile Plantation pool, she met many friends and started a Bunco group in 1992. The group still meets today and was the source of constant support through Neila’s illness.

The Hutson family joined Grace United Methodist Church in 1992. In 1997 she joined a life group of 12 women at the church. This group served as a source of spiritual support and comfort to Neila before and after her diagnosis.

In January 2000 Neila transitioned from volunteering to working in her children’s school. She worked at P.K. Yonge for 20 years in various capacities.  She was most proud of the Internship Program that she led and taught. Local business leaders knew it was hard to say “No” to Neila. She successfully placed PKY interns in unique, engaging, positions across Gainesville including the UF Vet School, the VA, Gator Nationals, and hundreds of businesses in North Central Florida.  

Neila was known for giving friends, family, and co-workers poinsettias each year for Christmas. Her children and grandchildren will always remember that she “loved them more than chocolate covered peanuts.”

Before her death, Neila lost her parents and many beloved aunts and uncles including Leslie Campbell and Frank Hammons who she viewed more as fathers than uncles. She leaves to mourn her passing and celebrate her life: her husband of 44 years Robert Hutson of Gainesville, FL; her three children: Rachel Heath and husband Michael of Charlotte, NC; Mary Garland and husband Joshua of Gainesville, FL; Richard Hutson and wife Jessica of Gainesville, FL; five grandchildren who affectionately called her “Nene”: Lillian, Campbell and Davis Heath, Owen and Hutson Garland and twin grandchildren who are due to arrive in late October whom she hoped and fought to try and meet: Liam and Kevin Hutson; sister Ada Campbell and husband Lonnie Kern of Big Stone Gap, VA; brother David Campbell and wife Reva of Fisherville, KY; her “brother cousin” George Hammons; her “sister cousins” Linda Hammons Zigos and Soandra Campbell; multiple cousins, nieces, nephew, and friends, including her friends from her beloved Bunco and Grace UMC Life Groups.

The Hutson family would like to thank their neighbors and Neila’s friends, PKY colleagues, and neurology team at UF Health for all of their support over the past two and a half years. Neila requested that in lieu of flowers, please donate to missions at Grace UMC, 9325 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32606, or https://gracegnv.org/give/ in loving memory of Neila Hutson.