Emma Lee Jones Graham peacefully passed away from her earthly home to be with the Lord on April 16, 2021. She was born in Tignall, Georgia on August 7, 1934. Her family relocated to Lexington, NC where she graduated from Dunbar Elementary and High Schools. Emma continued her studies at Winston-Salem Teacher's College (now Winston-Salem State University) where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She received her Master's Degree in Education from North Carolina A&T State University.

She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Emma Lee had a passion for God, education, and family. She was an active member of Union Baptist Church where she participated in Sunday School, on the Senior Choir, and on the Della Johnson Spiritual Choir until her health began to decline. She loved singing old spirituals and Christian hymns at home.

Emma's elementary school teaching career spanned 32 years beginning in the Lexington City School System and ending with her retirement from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System in 1990. She was an innovative, committed professional educator who won the Teacher of the Year Award while working at Mineral Springs Elementary School. Everyone she knew could always count on her kindness, compassion and encouragement. Her wit and friendly sense of humor endeared her to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Willis and Emma Jones; brothers Hiram Sr., Isaiah, Ralph and Jacob Jones; sisters, Dollie Hargrave, and Fannie Lee; step-brothers; Watson, James and Bill Jones; and a very special niece, Mary Williams, among others.

Emma leaves to cherish her memory one devoted daughter, Beverly Diane Graham of the home; a very special daughter who donated a kidney to Beverly, Shannon Simon of Morristown, NJ and her family; one sister, Mrs. Frances Mack of the city; nieces, Walteria Spaulding, Cynthia Mack, Monica Covington, and Amy Hargrave of the city, Vickie Owens of Lexington, NC, Dr. Maria Johnson and Angela Lee of Newport News, VA, and Dr. Barbara Hargrave of Virginia Beach, VA; nephews Bishop Sir Walter Mack, Jr. and Christopher Mack of the city, Hiram Jones, Jr. of Charlotte, NC, William Lee of Newport News, VA, Dr. Timothy Lee of Suffolk, VA, Dr. Patrick Lee of Augusta, ME, James Jones of Lexington, NC; a loving brother-in-law, Dr. Ralph Lee of Newport News, VA; loving sisters-in-law, Dr. Clarice G. Carter of Farmington, MI, Delores Graham and LaVerne Gaither of the city; a special family friend, Tandra Chandler; a special a host of great nieces, great nephews, family and friends. Emma was a devoted mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be sorely missed by those she knew and loved!

Funeral service will be private and there will be no public viewing of Ms. Graham. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery.

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