Emma Murdock

EMMA LOUISE MURDOCK was born June 13, 1931 to the late Columbus and Ijunior Palmer in Cartridge, Texas. Emma was raised in a Christian home environment and was baptized at an early age. The family later moved to Chickasha, Oklahoma, where she received her formal education and graduated from  Lincoln High School.

 Later in life, Emma relocated to San Diego, California, where she met and married Winfield Murdock. He was called home to be with the Lord on August 20, 1988.

Emma was employed with Strathfoye Furnishing Department Store, where she mastered the art of sewing. Due to medical reasons. Emma retired after numerous years of outstanding service.

During the early 1980s, Emma united with the Mt Erie Baptist Church, under the spiritual guidance of Dr. Walter G. Wells. There she served as Sunday School Secretary for Class #2. She was a faithful member and attended church services regularly until her health began to fail. She loved her church and her church family, but above all, she truly loved the Lord.

Emma was the family cook who made the best cornbread and cakes. She was  known by her great nieces and nephews for being the greatest and best baby sitter, who could make an awesome butter jelly toast ever. If you needed something sewed she was the -seamstress for everyone. She was highly skilled in repairing, designing and altering any type of garments. She was the originator for the patch work hats, which was extremely popular throughout San Diego. She was delighted to see the women adorned with her hats.  

Emma was an incredible, loving and devoted  mother, grandmother,  great grandmother, aunt and sister. She loved them all unconditionally. She was adored and admired by her son, Johnny and her many nieces and nephews , who affectionately called her “Aunt Louise”. She was their support system and adviser, Always there when they needed her advice or a listening ear. She loved her family,  always giving support and attended as many events as possible. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Elsie Lyons, Girtha Childress, Johnny Palmer, Willie Palmer, Columbus Palmer Jr, Richard Mason-Palmer and Wilford Joe Palmer.

On Friday, May 4, 2018, Emma answered God’s call, when he said  well done my good and faithful servant, for I will give you rest.  She is survived by her one and only son, Johnny Bell of San Diego, CA; one sister, Noval Ann Palmer-Paul of Apple Valley CA; five stepchildren: Myron, Ruth, Robin, Pam and Shea Murdock; one granddaughter, Kim Beavers of Temecula, CA; great granddaughter, Kiyanna Turner of Arizona; and a host of niece’s nephews and cousins.

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