Celebrate Emma Johnson Best's Life with Your Help

From the sons and daughter of Emma Johnson Best:

Keith Jr, Khristian, Kimberly, and Kaifa.

We regret to inform you of our mother’s passing on Monday, July 15th at 5:11AM. As a new senior at the fresh age of 66, she battled with heart complications and an irregular heartbeat which resulted in a stroke this past February. During the last 5 months, we prayed and assisted in her battle to regain her normalcy. She successfully completed 6 weeks of intense therapy to relearn how to talk, walk, and eat solid food. Sadly our mother was plagued by a second stroke in April which undid all of her efforts. After witnessing almost half a year of her resilient fight, we harbor no regrets as she slowly came to an ending of restful peace.

Emma was born in Liberia, West Africa and lost her mother from complications during birth. Not many years later, she then lost her father due to illness and was adopted into the Johnson family. There were many adversities she faced growing up in a new family, but prided herself in her studies and being in charge of the Marie Johnson hat shop on Randall St. She wanted for a family of her own and got her wish when she was wed in her early twenties, and soon had her first child. However, not long after, there was trouble brewing in Liberia, as a civil war threatened to tear the country apart. Liberia was deemed uninhabitable for a family of three with a young toddler. With their beloved home left as a newly war-torn country, Emma and family were forced to flee to the states for a new life.

The struggles of life in a foreign country with ever growing responsibilities soon took their toll. Emma soon found herself divorced with four school-aged children to raise alone. The stress did a number on her mental and physical health, but she always found a way to summon the will-power and strength of a village to raise her children. Most will remember the quiet yet strong nature of Emma. The fashionable, beautiful soul who would help anyone in need without a second thought, if she was able. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, and a servant of Christ. We can all find joy in knowing that Emma received her wings and can finally rest in peace.

We hope to remember her fondly as we ask you to look deep in your hearts to help us rightfully honor the day of her passing through donations for burial preparations and service.

Thank you.