November 14, 1943 – April 23, 2022
Emma Jean Redd, 78 years old, entered into eternal rest at her residence on Saturday, 23 April 2022. Emma was born to James Hite, Sr. and Betty Ransom on 14 November 1943, in Hopewell, Virginia.
She was preceded in death by husband, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr.; mother, Betty Carter; father, James Hite, Sr.; grandfather, Harvey Hite; brothers, Erskine Carter, Sr., Clayton Thompson, James Hite, Jr. and Sylvonia Hite; sister, Brenda Hayes; brother-in-law, James Taylor; sister-in-law, Catherine Middleton; and his grandson, Marquise Griffin.
If you ever met Emma, you knew she was a business woman, above all else. She owned and invested in real estate since her early 20’s. In addition, she worked at several major corporations and the federal government to include: Safeway Corporation, Chester, Virginia as a Forklift Operator; Defense General Supply Center, Richmond, Virginia. as a Certified Hazardous Materials Handler and Labor Union Representative; Central State Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia., as a Nurse’s Aide; self-employed as an Independent Automobile Broker; Amazon Corporation, Petersburg, Virginia, as a Forklift Operator; and Specialty House, Fort Lee, Virginia, as a Kitchen Cook. Her legacy of entrepreneurship lives on through her children.
After the early death of her husband, she became a widow at the young age of 22 and was left to raise five young children. Later, she remarried, James Smith (United States Army) and began travelling with her family as a military spouse and a 6th child was born to that union. She ended the marriage after 10 years with a spouse who suffered from agent orange and post-traumatic stress disorder. Later, she tried her hand at love a third time, marrying Charles Redd. She is dearly loved by family members from all three unions.
Emma loved Christ in her own way. She ensured all of her children knew Christ as their Lord and Savior and sent every child to church every Wednesday and Sunday. While working multiple jobs, she eventually returned to college as a Business Major at Richard Bland College.
Although she dropped out of high school to help her husband raise their family, she believed that a good education was important. Emma Jean did her best to ensure her children got the best education she could afford. She had four children enrolled in Hopewell Christian School, Hopewell, Virginia, at the same time; three attended Southwestern Christian College, Terrell, Texas, at the same time; and one later attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blackstone, Virginia.
She loved Jesus Christ, was a massive giver, had one of the biggest hearts ever and always helped everybody that she could. She often spoke up to defend the rights of others in the community. She often provided free room and board in her private real estate properties for the homeless. She was a lively soul and enjoyed singing, dancing, roller skating, and was a master seamstress.
Emma Jean is survived by her six devoted children, Jeana Crawford, Chantell Aden (Glenn), Charmane Johnson, Anthony Taylor (Beonca), Andre Taylor and Shawn Griffin. In addition, she leaves fifteen grandchildren, Juana Drummond (Barry), Tanika Aden, Chenelle Aden, Cedric Crawford, Teanna Crawford, Glenn Aden, Dominique Collins, Dante Griffin, Javon Taylor, Davonte Thomas, Richard Lovette, Josh Godette, and Andre Godette, Brandon Taylor, Lauren Taylor and Kortnee Johnson.
Emma Jean leaves three sisters Minnie Carey (Harvey), Trenna Jackson (Wayne), and Myrtle Taylor (sister-in-law) and two surviving brothers, Eddie Ransom (Mary) and John Hayes (brother-in-law). Finally, she leaves a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, life-long friends, Ethel Jones and Peggy Mosby, and a special family angel, Lisa Parks.
Services will be held 12:00 Noon, Monday, May 2, 2022 at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA. The interment to follow at Blandford Cemetery.