Emma was born on January 31, 1933 in Laredo, TX to the late Fermin and Pascuala Limon. She was a strong willed woman who was independent and a hard worker. She moved to Chicago where she worked as an industrial worker for over 60 years. She retired to Lubbock in September of 1999.
She was the mother of three children, Alberto Villarreal, Armando Villarreal, and Sylvia Montalvo.
She also leaves behind her grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and close friends.