Mrs. Emma Lou Harris Grier was born to the late Slaten Strozier Harris and late Joseph Harris on August 7, 1933 in Odessadale, Georgia.
At the age of 14yrs. Emma moved to Atlanta where she spent time with her paternal grandmother, after whom she was named. To Emma, the special time spent with her grandmother greatly influenced her life.
In Atlanta, Emma attended Flipper Temple AME where she served on the Junior Usher Board and where she met her future husband, Norman. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Clark College, majoring in Home Economics. In December of 1953, Emma and Norman were united in marriage. They had their son Michael and then moved to Arizona while Norman completed his military duty. After Norman’s Army service ended, they relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where they had their second child, Lynn.
While residing in Cleveland, Emma worked as a professional seamstress, a Cub Scout leader of her son’s troop, and a member of the Bridge Club.
In 1965, the family moved from Cleveland to Berea, Ohio where they settled in and Emma became immersed in various organizations such as North Berea Action Group (NBAG), Baldwin Wallace Bowling League, the Cleveland Chapter of Clark College Alumni, and Karamu House. She served as secretary to the President of the Baldwin Wallace College Student Union and retired after 31 years.
Emma was an active member of First Baptist Church, member of the Senior Usher Board, and was one of the first female members of the Trustee Board. She remained a faithful member of First Baptist until relocating to Texas in 2015.
In her leisure, Emma enjoyed both domestic and international travel, visiting places such as Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
Emma is survived by her husband Norman T. Grier; two children, Michael and Lynn Grier; three grandchildren, Marquia Grier (Seth), Marissa Grier, and Moniquea Grier; three brothers, Brady (Delores, deceased), Tom (Ann), Oscar (Juanita), a host of nieces and nephews, and many friends.
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