In Memory of Earnestine Cooper McCain

CELEBRATING

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

HER STORY

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.

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