Emma Rose Carson Whitworth was born June 27,1940 to the late Reverend Samuel Rufus Carson and Ora Mae McClendon Carson. She was the eighth child out of eleven. As a child, she along with her sisters Gloria and Mae traveled with their father as the “Carson Family Singer.” During this time, they sang for such notable performers as Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and Pearl Bailey. They also performed on the Mike Douglas Show when it was still in Cleveland, Ohio.
Emma was a product of the Akron Public School System. She graduated from North High School and earned a full scholarship. She then went on to attend The University of Akron, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education and began teaching in her hometown. She helped to develop the minds of students at Lane, Portage Path, Heminger, Rankin and St. Sebastian Elementary Schools devoting 40 years. She also taught piano to numerous family and friends.
As a child, the family joined with the Laffer Avenue Original Church of God, now called the Coburn Street Original Church of God. She confessed her life to Christ under the leadership of the late, Bishop T.R. Jeffries. She held many roles at the church, most notably as music director for the Jeffries Chorus and the young adult choir. It was also during this she met and married the love of her life Donnie, with whom she shared 50 years. To their union was born one child, a son, David. The family was later led to join with First Apostolic Faith Church “The Faith Place,” where she remained a member until God called her home.
At 4:00 PM on Sunday, February 6, 2022, Emma heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Samuel and Ora Carson; sisters, Ora Nieda, Mae Carolyn, Gloria Dean, and Sylvia Grace; brothers, Samuel Jr, Jimmy Eugene Sr., William Rosenwald, Phillip Lee, and Daniel George.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, husband, Donnie; son, David; daughter-in-love, Tina; granddaughter, Ariel Suzannah; grandson, Christian Gabriel-Marytr; brother, Duane Stephen; sister-in-law, Sue Karlyn Nixon; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family members and friends.