Her beautiful life of service represented strong faith in God, love of family and mankind.

Born in Gallion to the Rev. H.Y. and Virginia Rowser Jeffries, she was a devoted member of Evening Star Baptist Church, serving as Sunday school teacher, songstress and missionary.

Emma was a retired teacher’s assistant with Demopolis City Schools and summer program director of arts and crafts. She received numerous awards and commendations for her untiring community service.

Among the many positions and offices held, she was Den Leader of Pack 241, Boy Scouts of America and earned the highest achievement award in scouting, the Silver Beaver.

Time was exchanged for eternity on Monday, June 16.

Precious memories remain with her husband of 57 years, John Edison Gibbs; daughters, Josephine (Hinton Jr.) Johnson; and Tawana (the Rev. Dr. Carl Sr.) Johnson; siblings, Randle (Farris), Billy (Christmas) and Broderick Jeffries, Tony (Abbie) Hollis, Bobbie (Jerry) Mitchell, Marie (Timothy) White, Tracy (Kelvin) Davis and Shakirah (Siraaj) Tajuddin; step mother, Lucille Jeffries Carter; and many other relatives.

Hour of Homegoing will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at Evening Star Baptist in Gallion with pastor W.G. Daniels, officiating. Interment follows at Evening Star Churchyard. Family visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Friday. Calling hours at Johnson Memorial in Bessemer were Friday from noon to 9 p.m.