Emma Ruth Crosby

Emma Ruth Martin Crosby went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at the age of 77 years. Emma was born on October 6, 1936 in Pickens, Arkansas to the Mose Martin Sr. and Irene Williams Martin. Emma received salvation at a young age and was a faithful, active member of church.
Emma was always an outstanding student and teacher. She attended school in both Saginaw, Michigan and Dumas, Arkansas. She graduated from Dumas Colored High School where she was the salutatorian. She furthered her education by receiving a degree in Secondary Education from Arkansas AM & N College (Agricultural Mechanical and Normal) in 1961, now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). She majored in Mathematics and taught in the subject for over 40 years before retiring. Not one to allow her gifts and talents to go to waste at an early age, Emma assisted her father with his record keeping when he was a sharecropper in Pickens. She had her first teaching assignment while in the 8th grade when she was allowed to teach her fellow students in the one-room school house they attended. Her skills were recognized by others and she began teaching at high schools in Arkansas prior to receiving her degree. She was a top ranking student in her graduating class. Emma pursued masters level courses at the University of Ohio, where she was allowed to teach class because of her ability to simplify and explain.
After teaching at high schools in Arkansas she moved to Saginaw, Michigan and began her Michigan teaching career in 1966. She worked for Saginaw Public Schools for over 30 years as a Mathematics teacher at Saginaw High School. During her tenure at Saginaw High, she lived by the motto Every child can learn. Former students have described her as being firm, loving and determined that they would learn. Emma stayed after school with students and even allowed them to come to her home for additional assistance.
Just as Emma assisted her students, she participated in different ministries at church. She grew up being active in the African Methodist Episcopal church in Arkansas. She joined Bethel A.M.E. Church in Saginaw, Michigan in 1968 where she was a member for over 40 years. She was a part of the Stewardess Board #1, Nurses Guild, Girl Scout Leader, Chancel Choir, Sunday School and Bible Study. Emma loved serving God and embraced the Martin Family scripture, Joshua 24:15 ......As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. She practiced what she preached by raising her children and grandchildren to be Christians and active in the church.
Emma married her childhood sweetheart Marshall Crosby, Jr. He preceded her in death in 1980. Their love and marriage was so strong to her that she chose to not remarry. She said, Once you have been treated good by the one you love, why mess it up. This loving union produced four children: John Crosby of Largo, Florida, Stephanie Crosby, Sandra Crosby Robinson and Stacey Crosby all of Saginaw, Michigan; three grandchildren who affectionely called her Granny, KanDeshia (Virgil) Crosby- Alexander, Ben (Jasmine)Childress IV and Christen Robinson of Saginaw, Michigan; and three great-grands who called her G.G., Elijah Corley-Childress, Khalil Blacksher, and Savannah Alexander.
Emma will be missed by her loving and supportive siblings who considered her to be a great sister and a second mother: Millie Martin, Ronnie Martin and Lorene Martin, Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Ceabon (Verba) Martin, Julianna Williford, Jonathan (Ledoris), Irene (Robert) Thomas and Johnny (Felicia) Martin all of Saginaw, Michigan; also by her sister-in-laws, Doris Patterson, Frances Martin, Pearline Esaw, Azilee Parks all of Arkansas and one, brother-in-law, Franklin Crosby of Chicago, Illinois; special friends and relatives: Alena Neal, Mae Helen Williams, Nina Ward, Tishua Dunbar, Marsha Quiney, Celeste Quiney and Katrina Thomas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Moses Martin, Sr. & Irene Williams Martin; grandparents, David Jackson Martin, Sr., Millie Elams Martin, Isabella Williams, and Ceabon Williams; siblings, Mose Martin, Jr. And Elijah Martin; sister and brother in-laws, Versie Lee Dunmore, Ollie B. Crosby, Edward Crosby, Sr., Joseph Crosby, Annie Rae Crosby and Winston Crosby, Sr.
The family wishes to express special thanks to Bethel A.M.E. Church, St. Andrew A.M.E. Church, New Covenant Christian Center Church, Word of Faith International Ministries, The Purpose Center Inc., Covenant HealthCare, Hoyt Nursing Home, James E. Cartwright Care Center and her personal caregivers.
Her life and legacy will be celebrated by many.
Visitation: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries
Service Plans: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries