MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), Norwood, Simmons (12th)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MRS. RUTH ANTOINETTE BATTON CAMPBELL AND EXPRESSING SINCEREST SYMPATHY UPON HER PASSING.
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost an unsung heroine, wonderful friend, revered educator and media personality with the passing of Mrs. Ruth Antoinette Batton Campbell on April 1, 2020. A native of Benton, Mississippi, Mrs. Campbell was born on June 30, 1939, to her late parents, Viola Brice and Cleophas Batton. She earned an Associate's Degree from Coahoma Junior College in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1959, and in 1961, she attained her Bachelor's Degree in Language Arts from Jackson State College. Mrs. Campbell furthered her education by earning a Master's Degree in 1970 from the University of Southern Mississippi. She utilized her degrees to master the English and French languages, public speaking and literature, and imparted all of her acquired knowledge into the impressionable minds of young people as a public school teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Campbell made contributions as a Market Analyst with the Mississippi Research and Development Center, and she later entered the field of broadcasting at the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television, where she made her indelible mark as host of the longest-running minority-oriented public affairs series in the Magnolia State, and served as the Executive Producer for all public affairs programming at the network; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Campbell also served as a Special Assistant to Governor Ray Mabus, served as the Associate Director at the Jackson State University Lifelong Learning Center, and completed her dynamic career as the Deputy Director for the City of Jackson's Department of Human and Cultural Services; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Campbell evidenced her faith in Christ through her diligent works at Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she served in numerous capacities, and which acknowledged her service with the presentation of the Distinguished Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Campbell received awards in recognition of her community service and giving spirit, including: Humanitarian Award from the University of Southern Mississippi, Presidential Citation for Alumni of the Year Award from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Founders Award from the National Black Programming Consortium; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Campbell made impactful contributions as the Chair of the National Black Programming Consortium, member of the Advisory Board for Catholic Charities, member of the Advisory Council for 21st Century Community Learning Center, and was a pioneer in her own right as a founding member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in Jackson, as well as Friends of Public Broadcasting; and
WHEREAS, the memories of Mrs. Campbell will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of her survivors, some of whom include: her devoted husband, Leon; children, Kimberly, Sheva and Cord; and her doting grandchildren, Sage, Brelan, Iliya, Cord and Carrie Antoinette; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of a most public-spirited Mississippi citizen:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and contributions of Mrs. Ruth Antoinette Batton Campbell and express deepest sympathy upon her passing to her family and friends.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the family of Mrs. Ruth Antoinette Batton Campbell and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.