Emma Jo Hart began her earthly journey on July 22, 1940. Upon hearing the Lord’s call, she transitioned to the next life on November 3, 2023, at age 83. She was one of eight siblings born to the late George C. and Rossie B. (Jester) Parks in Griffin, Spalding County, GA.

Emma Jo received her education in the Griffin Spalding County School System. She was an honor roll student. In addition to academics, she also excelled in playing basketball. She was a member of the Fairmont High School Lady Bears championship team in 1956. She often shared that she chose cooking as her career because she loved to cook. She began her career in cooking as a teenager before leaving Griffin, GA. She found work as a cook in a Cleveland restaurant upon arriving. She served as chef manager at a prominent hotel in Cleveland for a short time, but resigned because her schedule included working most Sundays and she didn’t want to miss worship services. Upon leaving the hotel position, she continued cooking. She found employment in a group home for adults with disabilities from which she retired in 2006.

Emma Jo (Sis. Hart) confessed Christ as Lord and was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Griffin, GA at an early age. She later moved her membership to New Hope Baptist Church. She relocated to Cleveland, OH in 1965 at which time she joined the fellowship of believers at Calvary Hill Missionary Baptist Church. She served the Lord faithfully by serving others until her health failed. The myriad of services she provided as a member of Calvary Hill Baptist Church include Sunday school teacher, delegate to the National Baptist Sunday School Congress, financial secretary, president of Usher Board #2, president of the combined choirs, and service on the culinary committee. Over the years, she served as chairperson for the Church’s Anniversary, the Pastor’s Anniversary, and Women’s Day a number of times.

Emma Jo was a fun loving, outgoing person. She enjoyed taking short pleasure trips around the Cleveland area and other sites in Ohio and other states. For a number of years, she organized and sponsored an annual holiday shopping and lighting excursion. Most of the travelers were members of Calvary Hill; however, the trips were not exclusively for members. She was active throughout her senior years until her health declined. She attended the Paul W. Alandt Lakeshore Rose Center until she became ill in April 2023. When she lost her ability to drive, she began riding with her sister, Christine, and attended faithfully five days a week. At the senior center she organized a “Senior of the Day” program to share good cheer with senior attendees. One person was selected daily to receive a positive message from each of the other seniors present.

Emma Jo had a cheerful and friendly personality. Many people were drawn to her because of her jovial mood. Over the years she extended her family ties through adoptions. Among those who will miss her bubbly personality are a special cousin, Emma (Ick) Dunnaville and classmate James Moses (Bro) Jackson. Her fo1mer next door neighbor, Rosetta Ivey and her family, have inquired about her health daily since April. Her Calvary Hill extended family includes “Mom Byrd” and the Byrd family, Mrs. Alberta Henderson, each known to the other simply as “friend”, Ethel Staples and the Levert family, Bea Beard, Tasha Merritt, Mrs. Sarah McCarrell, the Miller family, Benita Phillips, Wanda Martin, and Bridgett Barrett. Your love for her is gratefully acknowledged.

Emma Jo was preceded in death by her parents, George C. and Rossie B. (Jester) Parks, four siblings – Willie Mae Taylor, Annie Ruth Parks, Alene Parks, and George C. Parks Jr., two brothers in law James Bellamy and Thomas May, and five nephews, Daylon Parks, Dexter Delaney, Jack Taylor Jr, C.J Parks, and Deshawnte Alexander, Jr. and niece Noreen Bellamy.

The legacy of her love, service, encouragement, and friendship will continue to live in the lives of the family she adored. The children whom she bore – Beverly Victoria (Vicky), Clarence Maketi (Cynthia), and Tina Shirell. Other sons – Reginald and Shawn. Her children’s off springs, the apples of her eyes-Cierra (Benjamin), Cory, Courtney, Dexter (Amber Teeters), LaSheena (Vincent), and Clarence Jovon. Great grandchildren Aaliyah, TyRee, Darion, Kaden, Elyzabeth, Jocelyn, Keariea, Imani, Isaac, and Gabriella. Her siblings – Nadine May, Christine Bellamy, and Lorenzo Parks (Carolyn). Special in-laws – Corrine Walker and Clarence Hood. Nieces and nephews -John (Denise), Chalmus (Richard), Carolyn (Samuel), Sharon, Dartanyan, Michelle, Calvin (Mandy), Marcus, Lenita (Winfred), Setina, Dan (Traci), and Alma(Josef), Many great nieces, nephews, cousins, the remainder of the Calvary Hill family of believers and friends