A lifelong resident of Plainfield, Emma peacefully passed away on April 30, 2025, at Brighton Gardens, Mountainside, New Jersey. Emma was a pioneer and trailblazer. Emma graduated from Plainfield High School and proceeded to attend New Jersey College for Women, currently known as Douglass College of Rutgers University. While attending college, Emma and another African American woman were selected to be the first African American women to begin staying in the college dormitories and break the color barrier. In addition to this achievement, Emma graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Emma proceeded to work at Esso Research and Engineering Company, now known as ExxonMobil. During her working career, Emma also pledged the Trenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Emma met her husband, Reginald, at a North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated dance. They married in 1957 and had two children, Keith and Lorraine. Emma went back to school and obtained a Master’s Degree in Library Science and became the Director of James Dickson Carr Library part of Rutgers University, where she retired in 1997.
Emma was a lifelong member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Plainfield, NJ. She was active as a Sunday School teacher, Superintendent of the Sunday School, a choir member, a vestry member, and the church administrator. Emma also was involved in Girl Scouts. She was a troop leader of her daughter’s troop, an active service team member serving as a Junior Consultant and cluster coordinator for Juniors and Cadettes, chairman of the Washington Rock Girl Scout Council nominating committee, a delegate to the national Girl Scout convention, and President of the Washington Rock Girl Scout Council, now known as Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.
Emma was also a member of the National Association of College Women, served on the Board of the Visiting Nurses Association, and a member of Associate Alumnae of Douglass College. Emma was a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She was instrumental in chartering the Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated in 1975. Emma served as treasurer under several administrations, chaired the audit committee, and served in numerous roles as an active member of the chapter.
In Emma’s free time, she enjoyed sewing, travelling, and playing bridge.
Emma was predeceased by her husband Reginald, her son Keith, her sister Constance and brother-in-law Howard, in-laws – Eleanor and Charles Thurman, Carmen and Felix Warren, Talmadge Warren, and nephews Robert, Geoffrey, and Thomas.
Emma is survived by her daughter Lorraine, granddaughter Emma, daughter-in-law Tracey, sister-in-law Linda Bell Warren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends. Visitation will take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Plainfield on Thursday, May 15 th from 2-4pm, 6:00-8:30pm, and on Friday, May 16 th from 10-11am. Omega Omega service will be at 7pm on Thursday, May 15 th .
The funeral service will be on Friday, May 16 th at 11am at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Plainfield. Interment will be at Franklin Memorial Park, 1800 NJ -27 North Brunswick, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College, 181 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 or online at https://douglassalumnae.org/