Mrs. Emma Jean Garner Jones was born on May 18, 1940 in East Saint Louis, IL to the parents of Annie Mae (Parker) and Eugene Garner, Sr. She was the second oldest born to this union.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James Jones; sister, Hattie Boyd Harris; brother Eugene Garner; son, Kimball Sanders and great grandchildren, Xavier Dixon and Emily Dixon.

Emma gave her life to Christ at an early age. She was a member of Southern Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a devoted member. She served on the Usher Board for more than thirty-five years and was a past President. She was also a member of the Visitation Ministry at the Church. For years she provided handmade gifts and flowers for the Annual Usher Day and other special occasions at the church.

Emma married Ira Sanders, Sr. and to this union three children were born, Ira Sanders, Jr., Kimball Sanders and Parrish Sanders. She later married James Jones.

Emma was educated in School District 189 in East Saint Louis, Illinois. She retired from Boeing after forty-five years of service. She was a woman of many trades and an entrepreneur. Over the years she owned two taverns, a restaurant and was a beautician. She enjoyed making flowers for special occasions. She was a volunteer with the Junior Achievement Program for years.

Emma like watching tennis and enjoyed spoiling her granddaughters and great-grandchildren.

Emma Jean Jones departed this life on May 24, 2020 in Swansea, Illinois.

Emma Jean Jones departed this life on May 24, 2020 in Swansea, Illinois. She leaves to cherish her loving memories: two sons – Ira (Donna) Sanders Jr. and Parrish (Johnnie) Sanders of Saint Louis; one aunt, Gussie Falconer of East St. Louis, IL; three sisters, Camilla Garner and Joan Garner of Edgemont, IL and Jeri Lynn Hicks, of Belleville, IL; four granddaughters, Twania Jeana'e Sanders, Mya (Lamarian) Dixon, Jessica Sanders and Amarah (Bodney) Davis; nine grandchildren, Seande Vinson, Detriana Palmer, Deatrick Palmer, Tamya Dixon, Lamarian Dixon, Jr., Christopher Dixon, Marques Dixon, Brooklyn Dixon and Demetrius Booker, Jr., along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and special friends.