Emma Jean Worthy Howard, 80, widow of Booker W. Howard, passed away on Monday March 24, 2025 at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA.  Emma was born October 17, 1944 to Cornelia Worthy and George A. Galloway.  She was a product of common law marriage and the youngest of six children.  Emma was a native of Winston-Salem, NC and lived in North Carolina for 75 years.  She relocated from Sedalia, NC to Hampton, VA in 2021 to be closer to her daughter and daughter's family.

Emma graduated from Paisley Senior High School in Winston-Salem, Class of 1963. She went on to receive her Bachelor's degree from Winston-Salem State and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  After graduation, Emma worked as a social worker for many years and then transitioned to the home health care industry until COVID hit.  She was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Gibsonville, NC and served as a deaconess and on the missionary board.  She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Red Hat Society.

She is survived by her daughter Lisa Brass (Eric Sr.); stepson Dominic Edwards; grandsons, Devan, Eric Jr. and Nehemiah; one sister Olivia Truman; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial services for Emma will be held Saturday April 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Liberty Live Church Chapel in Hampton, VA. A Zoom memorial will be held online on Tuesday April 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM. Email Lbrass@libertylive.church if you would like to participate.