Remembering Her Legacy

 

Emma Luvenia Stephens

The daughter of the late Curtis Essie, Jr.  and Dorothy Mabel Stephens was born on January 25, 1944 in Ruffin, South Carolina.   She departed this life on August 14, 2016 at her home in Ruffin.

After graduating from Ruffin High School in 1960, she attended Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina and obtained a B. A. degree in Business Administration in 1964.  She continued her studies at Howard University and obtained a master’s degree in Counseling, while also pursuing several hours toward an advance degree.

Emma worked at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina before relocating to Washington, D.C. where she worked for the FBI and later at Howard University.  Luvenia always had a love for helping people therefore, she decided to begin teaching.   She worked at several schools in the Washington area before becoming employed at Cardoza , where she retired after many years of labor.

She was a dedicated, devoted and much loved teacher at her school.  Also, Emma was a great cook and enjoyed cooking and inviting her friends and family over for meals.

Even though she was a hard worker at her school, she found time to be involved in her Church.  She was a member of Congregational United Church of Christ where she served on the Food Pantry Committee.

Emma is survived by her sisters,  Sannie M. Williams of Ruffin, S C and Margarine (Dr. George D.) Hamilton of North Charleston, S C; two nephews: George D. ( Dr. Charlotte) Hamilton , II , Blythewood, S C and Christopher Williams, Charleston, SC; nieces: Arlene Williams of Aiken, SC, Veronica (Jonathan) of Blythewood, SC, Cinderella (Willie) Thomas of Greenwood, SC  and  Denise (Jerald) Stevens; several grand nieces and grand nephews; godsons, Denzel Stevens, Dr. Robert Blaine and Justin Thomas; several  very long time friends of the Washington and Maryland areas  and a very special friend, Shirley McCall of Chey Chase, Maryland and numerous cousins and other relatives and friends.