CELEBRATING
A
SEPTEMBER 19, 1930 ◊ JULY 19, 2023
LIFE WELL LIVED
COOPER MCCAIN
Love is miraculous treasure. That comes from heaven above.
Love is fruit of the spirit! Its what the heart is made up of!
Love is very patient. It will endure until the end.
Love is always good and kind.
By sowing peace in the heart of men.
Love rejoices in the truth, It never seeks its own.
Love draws others towards it. It never walks alone!
Love Meditates on lovely things. It offers joy and peace.
Love rejoices in gentleness. With patience that won’t cease
Love bears all things and believes all things.
Hope all things and more…
Love helps those who are in need.
It gives grace to the lost and the poor.
When you walk in the spirit of love And live in the spirit too...
God’s “love fruits” from Heaven above Will shower down blessings upon you!
PRELUDE
HOMEGOING CELEBRATION OF
Saturday, August 5, 2023
South PANOLA JR. HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
VIEWING AT 10:00AM • SERVICE AT 11:00AM
Reverend Robert Brumsey, Officiant, Senior Pastor of Concord Missionary Baptist Church
PROCESSIONAL “Blessed Assurance”
INVOCATION
MUSICAL SELECTION “Order My Steps”
SCRIPTURE READINGS
The Old Testament- Psalm 23
The New Testament John 14:1-6
PRAYER OF COMFORT
MUSICAL SELECTION “I Won’t Complain”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS
PERSONAL TRIBUTES
Concord Missionary Baptist Church
Green Hill Elementary
FAMILY TRIBUTES
WORDS OF COMFORT
READING OF THE OBITUARY (read silently)
MUSICAL SELECTION
EULOGY
HYMN OF REJOICING
BENEDICTION | RECCESSIONAL
“Uncloudy Day”
“Going Up Yonder”
Reverend Robert Brumsey
Senior Pastor of Concord Missionary Baptist Church
Concord Baptist Church Choir
Reverend Carl E. Brown
Senior Pastor of Shiloh M.B. Church, Courtland, MS
Reverend Dr. Rubert Morgan
Senior Pastor of St. Peter’s M.B. Church, Senatobia, MS
Reverend Dr. Howard-John Wesley
Senior Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA
Mrs. Genevia McDaniel Jackson
Mrs. Leah Morris
Deacon Gregory Franklin
Colonel Tammie McKinney-Sledge
United States Air Force (USAF), Retired
Ms. LaWanda Cooper McDaniel
Deacon Chadrick McKinley Brown
Mr. Charles Felix McCain
McCain Sisters
Reverend Dr. Zannie Leland
Senior Pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
Concord Baptist Church Choir
Reverend Robert Brumsey
Senior Pastor of Concord Missionary Baptist Church
Concord Baptist Church Choir
McCain
A Virtuous Woman
Mrs. Earnestine Cooper McCain lived a beautiful life filled with an abundance of love, laughter, and light. Born during the Great Depression and raised in the segregated South, she faced many obstacles and with her determined spirit and made-up mind, she overcame each one with boldness and bravery.
The daughter of the late Tom Martin Cooper, Sr. and Rosa Mae Rudd Cooper, Earnestine was born on September 19, 1930, in Sardis, MS along with her twin brother Ernest, and was the baby girl of the family. She journeyed to her heavenly home on July 19, 2023, in Batesville, MS surrounded by nine of her 10 loving and devoted children.
Earnestine confessed her faith in Christ at an early age at Concord Baptist Church in Batesville, MS where her love for the Lord flourished. Being mission-minded and Christ-centered, she loved sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. She actively served at Concord Baptist Church in several roles as a Sunday School Teacher, Deaconess, and a beloved Mother of the church
After completing eighth grade at Concord Church School, she attended high school at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS and then attended Southern Christian Institute (SCI) in Edwards, MS. From there, she matriculated to Jackson State College where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1954. Mrs. McCain was determined to pursue her educational goals no matter what, and she wasn’t going to let biases and barriers stand in her way. The desire to learn never left her. She went on to earn a master’s degree in education from the University of Mississippi in 1981 while teaching and raising her family.
Mrs. Earnestine Cooper McCain proved herself as an outstanding educator and was a two-time Teacher of the Year recipient in the North Panola School District. She taught at Walton Chapel, Westside School, Green Hill Elementary, Sardis Elementary and Crenshaw Elementary. After 36 years in the profession, it was at Green Hill Elementary where she would retire. After retirement, she served as a substitute teacher at both the Batesville Intermediate School and at Batesville Job Corps Center. Her legacy in the classroom was inspiring and impactful, as two of her former students would later become both her principal and her superintendent. Mrs.
of God • Devoted Wife • Loving Mother and Grandmother
Sister • Affectionate Aunt • Exemplary Educator Pillar of the Community • Faithful Servant • Legendary Leader
Woman
Supportive
McCain took great pride in her students just as she did in her own children. She recognized their potential, too. So much so that she made sure that she not only trained their minds, but when it was allowed back in the day, she also disciplined their behinds!
She believed in things being done well, done correctly, and done with excellence. She’d often say, “those that know better should do better.” Sixth grade mathematics was her specialty. However, she was also a wordsmith, who loved diagramming sentences as well as reading and reciting prose and poetry. She was a master at teaching beyond the textbooks and her students benefited from learning “life lessons” as well. Mrs. McCain didn’t sugarcoat things; she kept it straight and she kept it real. She was stern yet sweet; forthright yet fair; guarded yet generous; jovial yet just; tough yet tender.
While she loved teaching, she also loved her husband, the late Charles Eddie McCain, Jr. and together, they raised 10 children. Balancing professional and personal responsibilities, she did it with ease, style, compassion, love, devotion, care, integrity, grit, and grace. She will forever be remembered not only by what she did but by who and whose she was. Well known as a dedicated and exemplary teacher, she taught generations of families, which was just a portion of her gifts. A devout Christian, faithful friend, caring confidant, and community advocate are also reflections of her spirit.
While times were not always easy, she never let the bad days outweigh the good days and she never complained. Her warm smile, sharp wit, keen insight, and curious mind are her signature trademarks. She was the perfect example of the generations of strong Black women who were fiercely devoted and determined to protect and provide for everything and everyone entrusted to them.
Mrs. Earnestine Cooper McCain leaves to cherish her memory nine beautiful children; the following five are of Batesville, MS: Arnetta Morris Brown, Phyllis McCain Draper (Jerry), Cynthia McCain Bishop (Tommie), John G. McCain (Dorothy) and Eric N. McCain; Outside of Batesville, MS are the following: Cecelia McCain Harrington (the late Rev. David N. Harrington) of Neptune, NJ, Charles Felix McCain of Hampton, VA, Lt Col (Ret) Edwin D. McCain (Yolanda) of Montgomery, AL and Debbie McCain Wesley of Herndon, VA; one Sonin-Law Joe I. Willis (the late Cornelia McCain Willis) of Kingwood, TX; one beloved brother Tom Cooper, Jr. “June Bug” (Mattie) of Memphis, TN; Sisters-in-Law: Vivian “Sue” Henderson of Memphis, TN, Anna Jean Chapman (James) of Batesville, MS and Bernice McCain Clay of LaGrange, IL; Brothers-in-Law Dabney McCain (Estelle) of Lynchburg, VA, Danny McCain (Carolyn) of Lynchburg, VA, and Gaylon Lightner (the late Joyce McCain Lightner) of LaGrange, IL; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews and a very special friend, Mrs. Earlean Freeman Williams.
She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Charles Eddie McCain, Jr., her beautiful daughter Cornelia McCain Willis, her precious granddaughter Kiwah Lemier McCain, her great granddaughter Sydnee Jenae Draper, her parents Tom Martin Cooper, Sr. and Rosa Mae Rudd, her brothers, Tracy Rudd, James Thomas “Buddy” Cooper and twin brother Earnest Edward “Sonny” Cooper and sisters Hattie Mae “Dee Dee” Frazier and Ella Harrison.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6- KJV
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
We are eternally grateful for all the beautiful and generous expressions of love shown to us during this, our time of bereavement. Your thoughtfulness and unconditional love have kept our spirits uplifted and our hearts encouraged. Our dearly beloved mother always said that people don’t have to be nice, and because you all have been so very kind to us, this is the very reason why we’re so very thankful to you and grateful for you. Your prayers, calls, florals, cards, visits, posts, meals, groceries, baked goods, fresh vegetables, beverages and so much more, ALL mean so very much to us and your generosity will never be forgotten, and we extend a very special , “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” So, thank you for reflecting the love of Christ.
FLOWERBEARERS
Former students of Mrs. Earnestine Cooper McCain
PALLBEARERS
Christopher Martin Brown David Seth Harrington
Kalen Orey Chadrick McKinley Brown
Jarred Wayne Draper Howard-John Wesley, II
Cooper Reece Wesley REPAST
Macedonia Fellowship Hall
2609 Macedonia Road, Batesville, MS 38606
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Jerry Wayne Draper Tommie Bishop
Joe I. Willis James Wesley Chapman
James Edward Brassell Clark Harrison
Shedrick Frazier, Jr. Reginald Cooper
John Arthur Williams
INTERMENT
Concord Cemetery
Tony Keating Road, Batesville, MS 38606
MEMORY SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO: Cooley Mortuary, Inc. , 327 Panola Avenue, Batesville, MS 38606
VANCELLIS KING PRINTING 901 218 2211