Emma Jean Wilson, 82, of Sacramento, California, was born July 19, 1938, to the late Nathaniel and Willie Lee Adams in Cleveland, Ohio. "Jean", as she was called by her siblings, was the oldest of seven children.
Emma was a Christian woman, who believed in Christ, and was baptized at an early age at Tri-Stone Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. She became the youngest charter member of Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church, in Cleveland where she sang in the choir and taught Bible school. She later moved to Holy Trinity Baptist Church, where each Sunday with her children in tow, she led the Cherub Choir.
On December 15, 1956, Emma was united in marriage to Alfred Joel Wilson, the love of her life who preceded her in death. To this union 6 children were born. In 1975, along with her family, they moved to Los Angeles, California. The family later moved to Simi Valley, California, where they lived until they moved to Chattanooga, TN in 1991. After moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee, she joined Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor William H. Ryan. Her servant heart led her to serve on the nurse’s board, as a Vacation Bible school teacher, Sunday school teacher, director of the youth choir, and sing in the mass choir. She loved helping others and was a devoted servant of God. She worked as a CNA for many years, a daycare teacher, and cook at A Childs Network and Rainbow Daycare.
She was dedicated to her family and loved supporting her grandchildren and great grandchildren. On the weekends she could be found cheering for her grandkids on the baseball or softball field or traveling across the country for track meets. She was a strong supporter of Tyner Middle and High Schools. On Friday nights you could find her at football games working the concession stand. It did not matter what her children or grandchildren were involved in, she was their cheerleader on and off the field.
In 2018, Emma moved to Sacramento, California and resided there until she departed this life on March 16, 2021.
Emma leaves to mourn and cherish her loving memory, three sons, Luther (Elaine), Sr., of Alta Loma, California, Alfred (Heather), Jr., and Kenneth, of Chattanooga; four daughters, Theresa, of Chattanooga, Deborah (Edwin), of Sacramento, California, Charleen (Gregory), and Cheril, of Chattanooga; four brothers, Nathaniel (Audrey), Warren (Antoinette), William (Brenda), and Joseph; two sisters, Eula and Karen; sister-in-law, Sharon (Don) Wilson.
Emma was blessed with 32 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Emma Jean was a beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She will truly be missed.
Public viewing will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 9, at Ridgedale Baptist Church, 1831 Hickory Valley Road. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 4230 622-9995.