Earnest Campbell, Sr.

Earnest B. Campbell, Sr. age 90 of his beloved Nashville, Tennessee transitioned on June 13, 2024 to enter his eternal home. He was born October 12, 1933 to the late Earnest L. Campbell and the late Ethel Carpenter Campbell in Denmark, Tennessee. He grew up in Denmark, Tennessee where he was educated in the public schools and graduated from West High School in Jackson, Tennessee in 1951.

Earnest accepted Christ at an early age at his family church, Cerro Gordo Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. He later joined Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Enoch Fuzz in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Earnest received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lane College in 1956. He also became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Upon graduation he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956-1959. He married his first wife Barbara Brooks of Millington, Tennessee in 1958. They journeyed to California settling in Long Beach where they were blessed with a daughter Veda.  

Earnest continued his education at the University of Southern California from which he earned his Master of Public Administration in 1968. Earnest and Barbara divorced in 1968. He then returned to his beloved Tennessee. While serving as an associate professor at Tennessee State University he met the new love of his life Vicki Cobb from Waycross, Georgia. Earnest and Vicki were married in 1971. Several years later they were blessed with a son, Earnest Campbell, Jr. “Kippy”. Earnest continued his education as a Doctoral Resident at New York University while pursuing a Doctorate of Public Health Administration from Union Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio in 1978. 

Earnest served in many educational capacities during his professional career in the Nashville community. He served as project director at Matthew Walker Public Health Center; Deputy Director in the division of Healthcare Administration and Planning at Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College; Policy Analyst for the Department of Mental Health and Retardation for the state of Tennessee. He also served as Executive Vice President at Lane College Jackson, Tennessee. His further endeavors also included serving as an Associate Professor at Fisk University, Meharry Medical College, Volunteer State Community College, and Belmont University. He retired from the State of Tennessee in 1996.

Before becoming a public health administrator, he was a champion for the poor carrying his passion and advocacy for the underserved through grassroots community service. He was the President of the Long Beach Branch NAACP and leading the Long Beach Community Improvement League, determined to overcome racial equality. He volunteered with several community organizations which included Jefferson St. United Merchants Parternship (J.U.M.P.) and the Jazz/Blues Festival of Nashville. He was passionate about jazz music. One of his best life experiences was being an extra for the movie THE GREEN MILE. 

Earnest was known and loved by many people during his life journey. He dedicated his life to family, church, and the education of students. 

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Magnolia (William) Nelson and Lynette (Johnnie) Williamson. 

 He leaves to cherish his memory, daughters Eunice Campbell Kyles of Jackson TN, and Veda Campbell of Lorton VA; son, Earnest Campbell Jr.(Kippy) of Nashville TN; nephews, Johnnie Williamson (Tip), JoNathan Nelson, William Nelson, Jr. (West Hi), Barton Nelson, Ronnie Nelson (Po Sam), Dennis Nelson (Seal) of Jackson TN; nieces, Cheryl Emory, and Joyce Brown of Jackson TN, Kathy Nelson of Atlanta GA, and Eula Brown of Memphis TN; along with his church family, a host of family and dear friends; special friends, Carl/Dolores Pillow, and Dr. Amy Cato.