Emma L. Wilhite

Emma Louise Wilhite was born on May 13, 1928 to the late Cecile and Edward Johnson in Cleveland, Ohio. Emma was the fourth of seven children; all of them preceded her in death: Edward Johnson, Jr., Catherine Tate, Bernice Manning, Geraldine Campbell, Lawrence Johnson, and Lois Tolbert. Emma married Jesse Wilhite on August 30, 1952. They had two sons, Lawrence Howard and Charles Edward. Emma was a long time parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. She was a proud graduate of John Hay High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She worked for 33 years in the Collections Division of the Internal Revenue Service. Emma really enjoyed life. She greeted everyone, including strangers, with a warm, welcoming smile. Emma laughed all the time. She had a tremendous sense of humor and was extremely quick with wit. If anyone felt down or depressed, a call to Emma would definitely lift their spirits. Emma lived a long, fulfilled, happy, healthy life. Emma departed this life on October 29, 2010. She leaves to cherish her memory: two sons, Lawrence (Diane), Charles (Myrita); four grandchildren, Ava, Ian, Jarred, and Justin Wilhite, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends that she held close to her heart.