Emma Mae Edmonson, 82, of South Knoxville, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday , January 22,2024.  She was a daughter, sister, mother, public school educator and volunteer.  Emma was born August 8, 1941 in Knoxville to Wayne Govan Blankenship Sr. and Vaughtie Hensley Blankenship.  She graduated from Holston High School and The University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1963.  She had a spirit of adventure, traveling across the U.S. to the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East.  She took her first job at Rule High School where she met her future husband , Carl Edmonson.  Their 43 year marriage produced 2 children, Andrew and Sally.  In the 1970s she began teaching at Manpower, which was designed to help adults obtain their GEDs and secure vocational training.  She was passionately committed to the program and her students, taking great pride in their success.  She had 20 plus years of service in the Knoxville City and Knox County Schools.  During this time she also volunteered for the League of Women Voters, various political campaigns, and advocated for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.  She was devoted to her brother Wayne Jr., who had Down Syndrome, and she cared for him in his final decades of life.  She loved her church family at Mountain View United Methodist.  She also loved her neighbors in the Mount Olive Community.  She treasured her summer vacations in Pensacola, NC with extended family.  She is survived by her daughter, Sally Edmonson of Knoxville; son, Andrew Edmonson of Houston; granddaughter , Stormie Juenger of Alcoa; and grandson, Jackson Scoggins of Louisville.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the exceptional and dedicated care she received in her final years of life at Brookdale Sandy Springs in Maryville, TN.  Truly the best assisted living and memory care facility in East TN.

The family will receive family and friends for a call of convenience, at Mountain View UMC on Wednesday February 7, 2024 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.  A graveside service will be held the following day at Historic Greenwood Cemetery on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM.  All are welcome.  In lieu of customary remembrances, please consider a donation to The Sertoma Center of Knoxville at www.sertoma.com.  Or a charity of your choice.

Matthew 25:21  "Well done, good and faithful servant….Enter into the joy of your Lord."