Camille Rankin

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 4, 2009

FAYETTE — Services for Camille Jackson Rankin, 54, of Natchez, who died Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hollywood Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. J.L. Hammette officiating.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Spencer Funeral Home in Fayette.

Mrs. Rankin was born Oct. 14, 1955, in Natchez, the ninth child of Joe and Doretha Jackson. She loved, worshiped and honored her parents greatly. She was baptized at an early age at Hollywood Missionary Baptist Church. During her adolescent years she attended church and Sunday school faithfully each Sunday. She excelled throughout her tenure in school and graduated high school at age 16 in 1972. She later graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State University at age 19. She later obtained four masters degrees during her lifetime. She served as educator, principal, school board member and political consultant over the years. She loved working with children immensely. She also enjoyed working as a principal with the CCA Corporation and traveling throughout the country. She was currently working with Hazlehurst school district.

Mrs. Rankin often boasted of her children’s accomplishments, such as Taurus being a former Marine officer; Kaeita being a doctor; and Noah being her star athlete. She frequently mentioned to friends and family how smart her grandchildren were and their level of intellect.

She was preceded in death by her father; one brother, Leonard Jackson; three brothers-in-law, Robert McCoy, Dudley Moore and Beachman Williams; one godsister, Latasha Queen Woodard; Noah Rankin, who she married in 1974 and was married for 15 years — during this union three children were born.

Survivors include her mother of Fayette; three children, Taurus Rankin and wife, Tenesha, of Harker Heights, Texas, Dr. Kaeita Rankin Cole and husband, Jeffery, of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Noah Rankin and wife, Patrice, of Houston, Texas; three grandsons, Taurian Rankin, Quinton Rankin and Deonte Monteria Cole; four granddaughters, I’yanna Rankin, Tyonnir Rankin, Channora Rankin and Ta’Nyya Rankin; three brothers, Andrew Jackson, Donald Ray Jackson and wife, Bridget, all of Fayette, and Samuel Jackson of Jackson; eight sisters, Bertha J. James of Jackson, Marilyn J. Williams of Shreveport, La., Carolyn J. Shepperson and husband, Thomas, of Kennes, Ga., Lameta Johnson of Tacoma, Wash., Geraldine J. McCoy, Clara J. Moore, Dr. Joeretha J. Stringer and husband, Frank, and Henrietta J. Cadney and husband, Clyde, all of Fayette; two aunts, Louise Jackson of Fayette and Thelma Green of Memphis, Tenn.; two uncles, Amos Jackson of New Orleans and Andy Jackson of Fayette; 37 nieces and nephews; a number of cousins, relatives and friends; special friend, Wilma Walker; and godchild, Velronquie Tenner.

Pallbearers will be Velcedric Jackson, Terry Wood, Donyori Jackson, Kimani Cadney, Carl Rankin and Larry Jackson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Taurus Rankin, Noah Rankin, Jeffery Cole, Andrew Jackson, Donald Ray Jackson and Samuel Jackson.

Flower bearers will be Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the class of 1972-1973.

Repast will be at Hollywood Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.