Mother Anna Virginia Emanuel was the youngest child born to the late Anna Shaw and Willie McKiver, on Wednesday May 27th, 1936, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Marlboro County. She entered eternity on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025. She lived a full life of love and service.

Mother Emanuel was raised and educated in the Marlboro and Dillion County School System.

At a young age Mother was introduced to Christ and began studying the Word of God. While attending a revival meeting at Cedar Fall Missionary Baptist Church in Bennettsville, South Carolina, it was during the altar service, she received the Holy Ghost. She was then Baptized in Water and then she joined and became an active member of Cedar Fall Missionary Baptist Church. It was there she gave glory to God lifting her voice in song. Mother loved to sing Gospel songs. A Gospel Quartet Group was formed and she along with her cousins and her oldest sister Lottie Mae was the group’s guitar player.

Mother Emanuel had the most caring and nurturing spirit, she mothered everyone that crossed her path. She assisted in giving care to various family members and was willing to lend a helping hand wherever she could. Mother was the epitome of Ecclesiastes 9:10a, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”, (New International Version).

Mother Emanuel was united in Holy Matrimony to Conley Emanuel and they remained together in marriage for over six and a half decades, until her passing. To this union five loving daughters were born and raised to be God-fearing and God-serving women, along with their parents.

In 1961 Mother Emanuel along with her husband Conley relocated to Brooklyn, New York. The family immediately found and joined Old Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Andrew Murphy. Mother continued to glorify God, lifting her voice in praise and song as a member of the Walter Staten Singers Church Choir. She also served on several organizations in the Church. Mother and Dad Emanuel remained in New York until they retired, in 2005 they shifted to Knoxville, Tennessee. They joined Mount Moriah FBH Church under the leadership of Elder Alonzo L. Rodgers. At Mount Moriah Mother continued to serve her God and her fellow man.

Mother Emanuel extended her love to both children and adults alike. Mother served as a Foster Grandmother Volunteer in the community for several years. Her love and nurturing spirit touched the lives of many children and families. Her kindness reached far and near as she poured into so many lives. A visit with Mother would never end without her offering you something to eat before you departed.

Mother Emanuel was preceded in death by her parents, thirteen sisters and brothers, one daughter, one granddaughter, one great granddaughter, and three sons-in-law.

To cherish her special and loving memory, she leaves a loving and devoted husband, Conley Emanuel, four daughters, Elizabeth (Alexander) Sims of Knoxville, TN, Teresa Anderson of Queens, NY, Constance Tyler of Brooklyn, NY, and Nicole Lampkin of Houston, TX., one sister-in-law, Air Mae McLeod of Belleville, MI, 10 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends to include the Mount Moriah FBH Church family and the Old Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church family.