On Sunday April 18, 2021, Jessica Lea Embry went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jessica unselfishly gave her life to save two children from drowning at Kure Beach, NC. Jessica was born February 23, 1981 in Morgantown, WV and raised in Clarksburg, WV. Jessica was preceded in death by her Father, Paul S. Embry and Mother, Sharon L. Embry, both of whom she missed dearly. She was the granddaughter of the late Paul M. Embry and Julia Folio Embry of Clarksburg, WV and the late John S. Richards and Martha L. Richards of Clarksburg, WV. Jessica is survived by her brother C. Patrick Richards of Englewood, NJ, Aunts, Uncles, and many cousins.
Jessica graduated from Robert C. Byrd High School in 1999. She was a graduate of Ohio University in Athens, OH with a Bachelor of Music in 2003 and a Master in String Bass Performance in 2005. Jessica also received her Master of Music in Music Theory from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2007.
Jessica grew up in a swimming family, starting at the age of 5 at Stealey Pool in Clarksburg, WV. She was a competitive swimmer, both with the Morgantown Aquatic Club (MAC) in Morgantown, WV and the YMCA in Clarksburg. Jessica was also a certified life guard as well as a swim coach for Clarksburg Country Club and Lumberton High School. Jessica shared a love for the ocean with her late mother dating back to her childhood. Many a summer were spent in Myrtle Beach, SC with her family and cousins.
Jessica started her teaching career in Lumberton, NC and later relocated to Wilmington, NC where for the past nine years was a fine arts teacher and Orchestra Director at Eugene Ashley High School. She helped create the United Sound program which paired special needs students with those in her orchestra class. Through that partnership, the students were able to get hands-on experience with instruments and learn how to play music.
Jessica loved her church family. She was a member of the Lifepoint Church in Wilmington, NC and was actively involved in many aspects of the church. She learned to play a new instrument to fill a need in the Worship Band, served on the prayer and care team and went on several mission trips to Uganda, eager to serve women and children there.
A service to celebrate the life and legacy of Jessica Embry will be held at LifePoint Church Pine Valley Location, 3534 South College Road, Wilmington, NC, on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 2 pm. The service will be streamed live on their Facebook page. In addition to the Memorial on Saturday, several Carolina Beach locals will be having a “Paddle Out” and beach gathering at 2 pm on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Kure Beach, N. Avenue Access.
In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to support some of the causes that were near to Jessica’s heart, including United Sound program, Uganda missions, Foster Pantry, Nourish NC, etc. The donations can be made on GoFundMe, Jessica Embry Memorial Fund. GoFundMe Jessica Embry
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13
A memorial service will be held in Clarksburg, WV at a later date.
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