Living Amazed: a community banker's journey of faith and purpose
For Barbara Cameron, a paralegal at the Bank of Perry County in Hohenwald, perspective is everything, and it was shaped by a life-changing diagnosis that continues to influence both her personal life and professional calling. As a result of that journey, she has recently released her devotional book, Living Amazed, a reflection on faith, resilience and learning to recognize life’s everyday blessings.
“By the grace of God, I am a fifteen-year breast cancer survivor,” says Barbara Cameron.
Diagnosed in August 2010, Cameron endured a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and multiple surgeries—an experience that tested her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Yet through that trial came a defining promise. “I promised God and myself that if I survived, I would not ever waste another day dreading anything, including going to work.”
That commitment has shaped Cameron’s outlook ever since, particularly in her career in community banking. She joined the Bank of Perry County in September 2007 after spending 15 years working in a law office. What began as a professional transition quickly became a calling rooted in service and connection.
“I enjoy being a part of a community bank because customers are not just account numbers,” Cameron says. “They all have a story or a circumstance I can try to help them with.” Over time, those interactions deepen. “At some point, these customers become like family. Banking is not all about taking, but also about giving folks a second chance when they run upon hard times.”
Her belief in people and perseverance has not gone unnoticed. Robby Moore, her supervisor at Bank of Perry County, has worked alongside Cameron for nearly two decades. “I have worked with Barbara for around 20 years,” Moore says. “She has served as my paralegal, secretary, and support on real estate files, as well as assisting with virtually every aspect of our bank operations. She has always done whatever she could to serve the bank and support me."
That dedication became even more evident during Cameron’s cancer treatment, when she chose to keep working through one of the most difficult seasons of her life. Moore recalls her determination as both humbling and inspiring. “She has shown true leadership through her battle and has made all of our lives better,” he says. “One example is that she scheduled her treatments on Fridays so she would be sick over the weekend and not miss work. As the treatments became more difficult, she sometimes had a few tough days the following week—but very few.”
Cameron remembers that time differently, focusing less on her own resolve and more on the compassion she received in return. “During my treatments, I would show up trying to press through, and they would physically take me back home, drive my car and all,” she says. The bank’s employees, customers, and leadership surrounded her with tangible support, even hosting a breast cancer awareness event in her honor. “I am living amazed today at the love and support that has been shown to me.”
Moore believes her outlook changed everyone around her. “Her spirit throughout the entire process earned our deep respect and enriched our lives,” he says. “She taught us to enjoy every day, because none of us is promised another.”
Not long after completing treatment, Cameron attended her first Tennessee Bankers Association Leadership Convention in Memphis. Still recovering and newly without her wig, she arrived simply hoping to participate and encourage others. Instead, she was unexpectedly called to the stage when Moore recognized her in front of the convention.
At the time, Moore served on the Young Bankers Board and felt compelled to honor her example. “I wanted to show respect for how she handled her battle and the leadership she demonstrated to all of us,” he explains. “It was the leadership convention, so I put together a basket as a gift and was allowed to share her story publicly. That is why I invited her to The Peabody in Memphis—to show how much she was appreciated and how much the bank values her.”
Cameron still laughs at her immediate reaction. “My first thought was, ‘Here I am with no hair and wearing flip-flops,’” she recalls. Yet the moment remains deeply meaningful. “What mattered most was being surrounded by people who were cheering me on in my journey.”
That journey eventually extended into writing. Cameron began journaling in 2012 as a way to process her experiences. By 2019, those reflections evolved into the beginnings of a book. Progress came slowly, often interrupted by self-doubt, until the loss of her father in 2023 pushed her to complete the work.
Originally envisioned as a traditional nonfiction book, *Living Amazed* ultimately became a devotional. “I read devotionals for encouragement, and I wanted to offer that same hope to others,” Cameron says. The book weaves scripture with personal stories, prayers, reflections, and Cameron’s own photography.
At its heart, *Living Amazed* invites readers to slow down and live in the present. “I have to decide every morning to do that,” Cameron admits. Through daily walks and prayer, she has learned to notice what she calls “the extraordinary in the ordinary.”
Cameron hopes her experiences resonate with others navigating their own hardships. “Everyone has their own battles, and encouragement always matters,” she says. “I’ve been there.” Each clear medical check reinforces her sense of purpose. “I praise God for affording me more time to help others walk their journeys.”
Moore sees her impact extending far beyond her personal story. “She is a great employee, a trusted friend, and a wonderful ambassador for Bank of Perry County—an example to all of us,” he says.
Cameron plans to continue that example through writing, outreach, and community engagement, staying true to the promise she made more than a decade ago: to live fully, give freely, and never take a single day for granted.