Mary Ethel Emerson

On April 14, 1929 in the small East Texas town of Centerville, Mary Ethel Middleton was born. She grew up as a hard worker and diligent student who was often tasked with instructing the younger students in the one-room schoolhouse she attended as a young girl. Her love of education paid off handily as she graduated from Henry High School in Elkins, TX and promptly set off to attend Huston-Tillotson College where she received her Bachelor’s degree. Mary met and married Willie Ray Emerson while at Huston-Tillotson and they had their two beloved sons Abram and Willie Ray, Jr and they all set roots in San Antonio, TX.

Mrs. Emerson began a long-lived and passionate career in education at P.F. Stewart Elementary School, teaching 1st graders. She continued her career at Inez Foster Elementary School where she retired with an immense sense of dignity and praise from her colleagues and students alike. She continued her commitment to education through her work with the San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association.

Mary also had other passions and those were her beloved Antioch Baptist Church where she served for decades in the Deacon’s Wives, and being an advocate in her community for all of her days. Whether it was an event at the church house or pressing for a drainage project, Mrs. Emerson got it done with determination, love, care and kindness for anyone who needed her help.  Mary also had other passions and those were her beloved Antioch Baptist Church where she served for decades in the Deacon’s Wives, and being an advocate in her community for all of her days. As the longtime Harvard Place-Eastlawn Neighborhood Association president, she had an immeasurable impact upon the Eastside San Antonio community. Whether it was an event at the church house or pressing for a drainage project, Mrs. Emerson got it done with determination, love, care and kindness for anyone who needed her help.

Mary was the loving sister of Frank, Leon, J.D, Herod, Earl, James and Gladys who have predeceased her as well as her surviving siblings Howard Jr. and Bernard. She was also a cherished sister-in-law to Mabel, Mildred, Esther, Alma, Winne, Doris and Carolyn and she was a treasured aunt and cousin to many.

A wife of Willie Ray, a mother to Abram and Willie Ray, Jr, a grandmother to Rana, Abram Jr, and Jamilah, and a great grandmother to Jaedyn, Sean, Aminah, Jerry III, Amaya, and Anika, Mrs. Emerson was the matriarch of the family instilling a firm sense of good in them all.

Mary Ethel Middleton Emerson left a legacy unlike any other. Her life was well-lived, full of inspiration and love for all she came in contact with. She made the world a better place and her light will shine on evermore, may God rest her soul.