Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | MS

Obituary For Ruth Antoinette Batton Campbell

Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., Garden Memorial Park, 8001 Highway 49, Jackson, MS 39209.

Ruth Antoinette Batton Campbell was born on June 30, 1939 in Benton, Mississippi to Viola Brice and Cleophas Batton. Campbell received her A.A. degree from Coahoma Junior College in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1959, her B.S. degree in language arts from Jackson State College in 1961, and her M.A. degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1970.

Campbell taught English, French, public speaking and literature as a public school teacher before she worked with the Mississippi Research and Development Center as a market analyst. She later entered broadcasting at the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television, where she served as host of the longest running minority-oriented public affairs series in the state. She served as script editor, producer, director, and became the executive producer for all public affairs programming at the network.

Also notably, she was a Special Assistant to Governor Ray Mabus. Campbell also served as Associate Director at the Jackson State Univ. Lifelong Learning Center. She ended her career as the Deputy Director for the City of Jackson's Dept. of Human & Cultural Services, under Mayor Harvey Johnson.

She has been the recipient of a Humanitarian Award from the University of Southern Mississippi, Presidential Citation for Alumni of the Year Award, a Distinguished Leadership Award from the Pearl Street AME Church, and a Founders Award from the National Black Programming Consortium, among others.

Campbell chaired the National Black Programming Consortium and also served on the advisory board for Catholic Charities, the advisory council for 21st Century Community Learning Center, and was a founding member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (Jackson), and Friends of Public Broadcasting, which is within the Mississippi Educational Television Network.

Visitation will be at Westhaven Funeral Home on March 31st from 11am to 6pm. Survivors: Leon Campbell, Spouse, Children: Kimberly, Sheva, Cord (Erin) and six grandchildren.

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Guest Book

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Grandma, Its been really rough for me without you here. But im making it... I go see you sometimes and just cry because you were my best friend my everything and now your gone.. I graduated high school for you grandma and now attending college for interior design.. I love you with all of me and will forever miss you.. I wish you where here to support me and go through my life problems and goals with me.. I love you more than words can describe. -Sage.

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I knew Ruth (Ruthie) for nearly 40 years. I thought of her as her birthday was two days, and she has been on my mind. She was my supervisor at METV, but we became friends, mentor and mentee, and even family. She was my sister. I watched Kim and Cord grow. Leon was my brother. In fact, I remember the 4th of July of 1981 when we were all together. It was one of the most fun days I have every had. They made me a member of the family, in spite of the fact that I was an Alcorn grad.(lol) We last saw each other at a JSU Homecoming in 2014. To the Campbells, I feel your sorrow. Please know that you are in my prayers.

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I love you so much grandma. Never of my 18 years in my life would i ever think you would be gone. You were my mother and my everything you raised me since i was 3 weeks old when moma (kimberly) adopted me. You mean the world to me and i will forever keep you in my heart. Words cant describe how hurt i am but i know you are okay now and in a better place than any of us down here are. Continue to watch over me and the family guide us and lead us so we can meet again one day. With sooooo much love grandma :(. Sage. R.I.P

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- Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.