Emmaline Issie Rosina Leaphart Mims

Emmaline Issie Rosina Leaphart Mims was born Dec. 30th, 1938 in Lexington, SC to Emma Julia Leaphart. Affectionately called by her nicknames, Sugar Momma, and Dimpsy Doodle, as an only child Emmaline grew up alongside her first cousins and was raised in the Lexington community where her family was a part of the foundation of Jones Chapel AME and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Emmaline's strong belief in structure and being involved in school and church activities stems from her days as a point guard on the basketball team at Lexington Rosenwald High School. After high school, she attended Midlands Technical College and became certified nursing technician, which led her to over 35 years of service to Richland Memorial Hospital. That same discipline and structure was taught to her children as well. Rather it was football, basketball, band, chorus, tap, you name it and her children were in it! Emmaline continued her strong work ethic through the age of 78 working as a private duty nurse.

Emmaline adored her family. She would often speak of her children and grandchildren's accomplishments with tremendous pride and happiness. Beyond her family, Emmaline was a friend to everyone she met. She had her amazing way of showing love to anyone that needed it through her cooking, baking those phenomenal cakes, or words of encouragement.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ethan Mims (2003); her son, Manuel Davis (2020); and her mom, Emma Julie Leaphart. She leaves behind her sons, James Kermit Leaphart (Miriam) of Lexington, SC, Teddy (Beverly) Jackson of Columbia, SC, and Aaron Davis (Patricia) of Lexington, SC; a step- daughter, Robin Jackson of Columbia, SC and her daughters, Christie McCants of Columbia, SC, Nichelle Baker of Woodstock, GA, Monica Lynn Reeves (Travis) of Gaston, SC, and Brenda Barnes of Austell, GA. She has 16 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, extended family, and long-time friends who will cherish the memories of her love, her strength and her grace.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, July 26, 2024 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home – Lexington Chapel, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072. A funeral service will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 606 W Main St, Lexington, SC 29072, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.