In Memory of

Emma

Jean

Mellion

Obituary for Emma Jean Mellion

Emma Jean Mellion was born January 9, 1939 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Almeta Dennist in Malvern, Arkansas. Emma was the eldest of two children and the big sister to her only sibling and younger brother, Ralph Dennist. Emma received her education at Malvern Public Schools where she loved to play basketball.

Emma lived in various parts of the United States including Malvern, Arkansas, Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California and finally Oakland, California, which she would make home. She was highly skilled and worked in many industries and professions. Emma worked for the Zenith Company saudering circuit boards for TVs, the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, and perhaps her most rewarding occupation as a Licensed Daycare Provider for the State of California for over 30 years. Emma or “Mrs. Jean”, as she was affectionately known, was licensed to keep up to 12 children at one time and was often full to capacity because of the love and care she showed not only to the young children in her care but their families as well. Those who were once taken care of by Mrs. Jean would then bring their own children to her to be cared for. She kept children from all socioeconomic backgrounds, nationalities and walks of life. She was truly a mother to all.

Emma met Willie Stovall and to this union two children were born, Ronna (Stovall) Taylor and Felisha (Stovall) Williams. On April 20, 1964 Emma married George Mellion, Sr. They would have two children together, Davina (Mellion) Smith and George Mellion Jr. Emma and George resided in Oakland, California with their children and remained together until George, Sr.’s passing in 2008. They were married for 44 years and enjoyed spending time together, especially fishing.

Emma accepted Christ and was a member of Shiloh Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California where she was baptized and fellowshipped with the community.

Emma had many hobbies and pastimes with her favorites being fishing, gardening, cooking and helping the needy. She loved going fishing both along the shoreline in her camper and deep-sea fishing. Emma definitely had a green thumb and a knack for making things grow. She loved growing fresh vegetables and fruit in her backyard as well as beautiful shrubs and flowers in her front yard. She would often pick flowers from her garden and set them on the kitchen table, while picking greens or tomatoes from her vegetable garden and whipping them up into a tasty, nutritious meal. Emma was known for making delicious dishes, some of her most famous being her BBQ sauce, gumbo, greens & cornbread and chicken & dumplings. Anytime you came to Emma’s house she would feed both your heart and your stomach. Perhaps one of Emma’s most gratifying pastimes was helping the needy. She had a strong passion for people and would give her last to make sure someone else was doing well. She collected clothing, blankets, food and toys and would give them to anyone in need. She was the neighborhood “Salvation Army”.

Emma spent her final years at the Windsor Hampton Skilled Nursing Facility in Stockton, California. This truly became her home. Ms. Emma, as she was known in the facility, was very active and loved by all. She had many friends not only amongst the residents but throughout the staff as well. She loved going to the Activities Room daily to watch movies, play BINGO and listen to music. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and having meals together. Ms. Emma was the comedian of the facility, always ready with a joke or witty saying to keep everyone laughing. Just like she would make people laugh, she would also offer words of encouragement by telling people to “Hang in There” and her most famous saying “Don’t Give Up the Ship”. Her latter days were truly her best days.

Ms. Emma taught her children and grandchildren to be hardworking and to always stick together. She was a strong, independent woman and a fighter (in all forms of the word). Family was very important to her. She remained strong until the very end when her Father called her home on January 15, 2020.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Almeta Dennist, her beloved husband, George Mellion, Sr. and her baby brother, Ralph Dennist.

Emma leaves to cherish her memories and carry her legacy four children, Ronna (Stovall) Taylor, Felisha (Stovall) Williams, Davina (Mellion) Smith (Larry Sr.) and George Mellion, Jr. (Monica); twelve grandchildren, Maya Taylor, Montrell Taylor (Aneshia), GeAndre’ Mellion, Mariah (Mellion) Fox (Toby), Jamila (Williams) Allen (El-Manuel), Deshaun Smith (Haleigh), Bobby Gene Smith, Tera Smith (Dean), Larry Smith, Jr. (Irene), Barry Smith (Markita), Cassondra Lawson (Michael) and DeAndre Hayes; twenty-six great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and her Windsor Hampton Care Facility Family.