Emma J. Wiley

The eldest of ten children, Emma Jean Wiley was born August 19, 1950, to Arthur Holmes and Mildred Lewis in Dermott, Arkansas. She was affectionally known as “Woman” to her family and friends.

Emma accepted Christ at the Gaines Street Baptist church under the leadership of the late Pastor J.T.
Phillips. After serving at Gaines Street, she united with St. John Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor P.L. Austin. During her years at St. John Emma served in many capacities such as Sunday School/VBS Teacher, choir member, Assistant Youth Director, and a finance clerk. Her last assignment was under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Sherman McKenzie at the Greater St. John Baptist Church. There she served as a Deaconess, Mother of the Church, Vacation Bible School Director, and a Sunday School teacher until her passing. After working many years for K-Mart, she retired as the Human Resources Director in 1997. She decided to go back to work and later became employed with Custom Direct where she retired in 2012.

Emma played a part in raising and mentoring many children throughout her life. One of her favorite
pastimes was bowling, where she met Mr. Herman L. Wiley. They were united in holy matrimony on May 20, 1996.

Emma departed life on this side on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at St. Vincent Hospital.
Emma is preceded in death by her parents: Arthur Holmes and Mildred Lewis, her grandparents: Pearl Dokes and Jim Lewis. Her daughter, Tonya E. Perkins- Matthews, and sisters: Diana Louis and Mary Hampton.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband Herman L. Wiley; her daughters, Ramona C. Lewis and Shayla S. Alexander and bonus sons, O’mont (Ebony) Wiley, Markiel (Tillian) White, and Derrick (Bettina) White; her grandchildren, Embral Matthews, Neah (Calvin) Perkins, Kenny (Kristen) Branson, Ryan Matthews, and Noah Alexander; Great-grandson- Nickalous Conley; Bonus grandchildren: Jordin Wiley, Derrick White Jr. Farod Muhammed, Darius White, Dayton White, Laadria White, Markiel White Jr., Brendon White, Teyerra White, Keyerra White, Makieah White, and Kylah White; her siblings: Rosa (Nolan) Hardnett, Ivory (Victor) Smith, Glendora Wesley, Donna Jean Gregory, Sam Lewis, Wylie Hampton, and Odell Hampton. Emma is also survived by her aunt: Willie Mae Lewis, and a host of niece, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, many cousins, and friends. Life celebration will be held on December 3, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., Greater Second Baptist Church. Visitation will be Friday, December 2, 2022, at 6:30 - 7:30pm Paradise Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emma J. Wiley, please visit our floral store.