Emma Jean Clark Rose

Her Life

Emma Jean Clark was born on December 9, 1958 in Bogalusa, Louisiana to the late Tommie and Willie Catherine Clark.  She was the sixth of eight children.  Emma’s family migrated to Boston when she was three years old.

Emma was a student in the Boston Public School system andgraduated from Madison Park High School in 1976.

In 1977, she gave birth to her eldest daughter, Nekia Clark.  In 1985 she met the love of her life Willis Rose, Jr. and they were married six years later in 1991.  From their union two daughterswere born, Ebony and Brianna Rose.

Emma loved to entertain her family and friends.  She often hosted New Year’s Eve celebrations and in true “Emma” spirit would offer a safe place to overindulgers who needed to sleep off their fun.  One of her favorite pastimes was playing cardsduring family gatherings.  Her brother, Willie, was her preferredWhilst partner and her sister, Iris, was her Spades partner. Emma was always the life of the party and would often be seen on the dance floor with her siblings. It was an absolute joy for her to spend time with loved ones and an even greater joy for her to bake her famous banana pudding for them.  For decades, she kept the secret recipe close to her own heart but she undoubtedlyshared love whenever she made the dish.  Every bite of her banana pudding was like a little burst of love. Emma also loved to travel.  One of her fondest memories was a family cruise to celebrate her 60th birthday.

Her Work Experience

Emma started her banking career at Malden Trust Company in 1984.  In 1986, she went on to work at Bank of New Englandwhere she spent 18 years.  After more than 30 years in the industry, she left her most recent role at Eastern Bank in 2014.

Her Faith

Emma was raised in the church and at an early age was baptized at Pleasant Hill Baptist church. When she moved to Malden, she joined Emmanuel Baptist church as a member where she served as a care taker in the nursery.  Emma looked to God for comfort and strength during her breast cancer fight and earlier this year in March, she was re-baptized.

Her Passing

On October 24, 2020, Emma passed away after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.  She died peacefully at her home in Brocktonsurrounded by family.  Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Tommie and Willie “Nana” Clark.  And her siblings, El-Jean, Dennis Ray and Tommy Lee Clark.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, WillisRose, Jr.; her caring daughters, Nekia, Ebony and Brianna; her grandchildren: Aryanah Clark, Andre Rose Oliveira, and Austin Clark; her siblings: Willie Earl Funchess, Willie James Clark, Iris Rebecca Clark and Norma Jean Clark; her father-in-law: Willis Rose, Sr. and mother-in-law: Lorraine Rose; her brother-in-law: Craig Rose (Elizabeth); her sisters-in-law: Andrea Roseand Hortense Clark; as well as a host of nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

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