Joanne Emerson

Joanne Tripp Emerson, 74, of Elgin, SC died Friday, October 12, 2012. A native of Raleigh, NC, Joanne was the daughter of the late Alton Parker Tripp and Louise Correll Tripp. She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph W. Emerson and first husband Horace L. Farlowe with whom she had two children.

Joanne was an alumnae of Needham Broughton High School (’55), and St. Mary’s College (’57), located in Raleigh NC. She received her BA and MA in history at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was a firm believer that education was a major and continuing factor to a person’s well-being and success and consumed knowledge throughout her life.

In 1986 Joanne became the executive director of Interfaith Community Services of SC in Columbia. Under her leadership she founded the SC Association of Non-Profit Organizations, the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and a low-country micro-enterprise initiative, as well as expanding numerous programs and partnerships. A colleague remembers her as “probably the most brilliant, well-read person I have ever known. She was so passionate about what she believed in…She was an icon in the nonprofit world in Columbia, and was well respected by everyone that worked with her.” She retired in 2006.

Joanne was vehement in her views concerning social justice and politics and would spend hours on the phone “discussing” issues. She had a passion for cooking and blue-eyed movie stars, most notably Alan Ladd, Paul Newman and Daniel Craig. She was an avid collector of many things including plants, recipes, and films, but first and foremost she adored books. She loved the feel of holding a book in her hands and the delight of written words on a page. Joanne surrounded herself with things that brought her joy and her personal and professional life were testaments to that.

Survivors include daughter, Kathryn L. Farlowe of Athens, GA; son, Horace L. Farlowe Jr. and wife Lori C. Farlowe of Athens, GA, and brothers, Edwin R. Tripp III of Columbus, OH, Alton P. Tripp Jr. of Reston, VA, Joseph C. Tripp and David S. Tripp, both of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by her two beloved cats, Zulie and Mitzy.

The Joanne Tripp Emerson Nonprofit Leader Award fund for graduate students is being established in the University of Georgia Institute for Nonprofit Organizations (INPO). Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Joanne may do so online at www.externalaffairs.uga.edu/os/makegift. Select School of Social Work, INPO. Checks may be made out to The UGA Foundation with notation for the INPO and in memory of Joanne Emerson. Mail to Jennifer Abbott, Director of Development, UGA School of Social Work, 211 Tucker Hall, Athens, GA, 30602-7016. For more information call 706-542-9093 or email [email protected].

A memorial service for friends and family will be held in Morehead City, NC at a future date.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.