Emma Dorothy Greasham's Obituary
Emma Dorothy Kearney Greasham entered this life on December 3, 1922 in Schenectady, New York. She was born to the late Emma Yager Kearney and Samuel Kearney. She earned her high school diploma from Mott Terrace High School. While an adolescent in Schenectady, she attended the A.M.E. Zion Church, where she sang in the junior choir with her siblings. After high school, she moved to Harlem with her sisters and mother and worked as a waitress in Manhattan. In 1940, while visiting an art studio on St. Nicholas Avenue and 145th Street, Dorothy met her future husband, a photographer, Willie Greasham. They were married on November 25, 1945, in Harlem, New York.
From Harlem, Dorothy and her husband relocated to Mt. Vernon, New York where they began their family. While in Mt. Vernon, she and her family attended Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church. Dorothy and her family later moved to East Orange, New Jersey. While in East Orange, she spent many fulfilling years as a devoted wife and mother. She was a member of Elmwood Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday school. In her spare time, she volunteered at the East Orange Public Library.
Following East Orange, she moved to Willingboro, New Jersey, where she provided a loving, stable, Christian home to numerous foster children. She was a member of the Delaware Valley Baptist Church, and later joined the Fountain of Life Church. After earning her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Burlington County Community College, she worked as a Title I teacher at Buckingham Park Elementary School.
She later moved to Deltona, Florida, where she was an active member of Deltona United Methodist Church. While in Florida, she maintained her lifetime commitment to Christ and was diligent about her children and grandchildren walking in the light of the Lord. In Florida, she spent many happy years hosting her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members at Walt Disney World, Cape Canaveral, and Daytona Beach. As much as she enjoyed retirement in Florida, Dorothy and her family returned to New Jersey to be closer to her other children and family. Later in life, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia to once again be closer to her children. While in Georgia, she attended New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and was honored on Mother’s Day 2010 as the eldest living mother in the congregation.
Throughout her life, Dottie, as she was lovingly called by her husband, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, continued to praise the Lord and enjoy her family and close friends. She was dedicated to raising her children and grandchildren in the church, and she loved to be in fellowship and in the company of her family. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Willie; her parents, Samuel Kearney and Emma Yager Kearney; her sister Viola Davis; and her brothers James, Samuel, Clifford and Charles Kearney.
She leaves to celebrate in her memory 6 children: Nancy Parrish of Virginia, Jeffrey Greasham of New Jersey, Deborah Greasham of Georgia, Cheryl Greasham Potts of Virginia, Mark Williams of Georgia, and Dearea Craven of Maryland; sisters Evelyn Gladden of New York and Maybell Young of New Jersey; 12 grandchildren, Monica Trent, Tamara Pendley, Majeedah Greasham, Dustin Greasham, Brandon Potts, Dexter Greasham, Rachel Greasham, Julian Potts, Janise Salaam, Ian Craven, and Dylan and Jonah Williams; 3 great-grandsons, Justin Trent, Malik Pendley and Nicholas Trent; two daughters in-law, Deborah Greasham and Chiffon Williams, one son in-law, Rodney Craven; one goddaughter, Carol Allen; one special nephew, Timothy Gladden; and a host of other nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Directly after the visitation Thursday evening, Emma's family, will be going to Nancy's home for a family gathering/dinner at 7102 Destiny Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22407.
Directly after the burial Friday, Emma's family will be going back to the church for a meal.
Cherly will be hosting a dinner in her home Friday at 7:00 PM at 244 Woodstream Blvd, Stafford, VA 22556.
What’s your fondest memory of Emma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Emma?
Share a story where Emma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Emma you’ll never forget.
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