Emma Jean came into this world, the fifth child of Martin Ruby Colbert and Ruthie Mae Colbert, on Thursday, November 5, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Emma was baptized at an early age at Rose Hill Baptist Church, where she was active in Sunday School, church services and events. After a few years, the family moved to Holsey Chapel CME Church. The Colbert family remain active members.
Along with faith and church, education was also important to Martin and Ruthie. They, themselves, had very little formal education. However, they insisted that all of their children finish high school, and enroll in some type of post-secondary education. Emma Jean successfully completed Dunbar Elementary School, Carver Junior High, and received her diploma from Booker T. Washington High.
School, May of 1960 (now known as Booker T. Washington International Baccalaureate High School).
In September of 1960, Emma eagerly entered Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. During her four years at langston, she remained on the Dean's list and Honor Roll. Emma also became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC., a service organization. She was also accepted into Phi Delta Kappa, an educational organization. In 1964, she graduated from Langston University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. Upon graduating, she was seeking a teaching position, and reached out to her sorors, who told her about opportunities in Milwaukee.
She moved into the Mary Church Terrell boarding house, located at 9th and Chambers, and began her long teaching and quidance career with Milwaukee Public Schools, which lasted 35 years, until her retirement in June of 1999. In 1974, Emma also earned a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In Milwaukee, she met and married, Melvin O. Fenceroy, on August 11, 1965. God blessed them with one daughter, Felicia (Fee), and one son, Michael (Mike). Emma's commitment to, and love for, her family was beyond measure. As Mike and Fee have shared, "She took care of things. She did so much for us all. We give her all credit for the way she raised us, and the type of role model she was." let's be clear, she was a strong, stern Mama, who had a belt that she carried in the car, as they were growing up, just for Mike. They say she softened up, just in time for the grandkids, and great grandchildren, who became the heart and light of her life. Her grandchildren reflect, "Anytime you wanted something and she knew of it-you may not have gotten it at that moment-but she got it for you."
In 1995, Emma became a member of Christian Faith Fellowship Church, where she served, and strongly guided, the youth ministry's Education Scholarship Committee. Those she served with recall: "She was always willing to use her knowledge, insiqht and wisdom to help the youth advance spiritually, personally, and academically. " Emma Jean Fenceroy welcomed 2020, and on that same day, took her final earthly breath.
She has become one of a long line of ancestors, watching over those whom she so deeply loves. Emma is preceded in death by her grandparents; Laura Breedlove Colbert and James Alexander Colbert; her parents Martin Ruby Colbert and Ruthie Mae Greene Colbert; Sisters, Deloris Colbert, Hazel Wallace Colbert, Jewellene Colbert Mayes, and Shirley Colbert; Brother, Sylvester James Colbert.
Celebrating her life, mourning her transition, and moving forward without her physical presence are her husband, Melvin Fenceroy (Milwaukee, WI). Her children: Felicia Fenceroy Robinson (Milwaukee, WI) and Michael Fenceroy (Weston, FL). Grandchildren: Dairon, Tyehimba, Jasmine, Jabari, Bryanna, and Ciara. Great Grandchildren: Adriana, Kyleigh, Ava, Princeton, and Parker. In addition, her sisters, Gladys Chatman (Tulsa, OK) and Lorene Brown (Tulsa, OK). Sister-in-Iaws: Willa Colbert (Tulsa, OK) and Debra Fenceroy (Milwaukee, WI). Brother-in-Iaws and Sister-in-Iaws: Dean & Brenda Loche (Bastrop, LA), Rodney & Brenda Fenceroy (Collinston, LA), and Gregory & Edna Faye Fenceroy (Fargo, ND). One Aunt-in-Iaw, Bessie Brown (Milwaukee, WI). A special son, Antonio Robinson (Milwaukee, WI). God daughter, Willette Sims (Milwaukee, WI». Many nieces and nephews (including great & great-great, also), cousins, special friends, and friends.
Along with faith and church, education was also important to Martin and Ruthie. They, themselves, had very little formal education. However, they insisted that all of their children finish high school, and enroll in some type of post-secondary education. Emma Jean successfully completed Dunbar Elementary School, Carver Junior High, and received her diploma from Booker T. Washington High.
School, May of 1960 (now known as Booker T. Washington International Baccalaureate High School).
In September of 1960, Emma eagerly entered Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. During her four years at langston, she remained on the Dean's list and Honor Roll. Emma also became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC., a service organization. She was also accepted into Phi Delta Kappa, an educational organization. In 1964, she graduated from Langston University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. Upon graduating, she was seeking a teaching position, and reached out to her sorors, who told her about opportunities in Milwaukee.
She moved into the Mary Church Terrell boarding house, located at 9th and Chambers, and began her long teaching and quidance career with Milwaukee Public Schools, which lasted 35 years, until her retirement in June of 1999. In 1974, Emma also earned a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In Milwaukee, she met and married, Melvin O. Fenceroy, on August 11, 1965. God blessed them with one daughter, Felicia (Fee), and one son, Michael (Mike). Emma's commitment to, and love for, her family was beyond measure. As Mike and Fee have shared, "She took care of things. She did so much for us all. We give her all credit for the way she raised us, and the type of role model she was." let's be clear, she was a strong, stern Mama, who had a belt that she carried in the car, as they were growing up, just for Mike. They say she softened up, just in time for the grandkids, and great grandchildren, who became the heart and light of her life. Her grandchildren reflect, "Anytime you wanted something and she knew of it-you may not have gotten it at that moment-but she got it for you."
In 1995, Emma became a member of Christian Faith Fellowship Church, where she served, and strongly guided, the youth ministry's Education Scholarship Committee. Those she served with recall: "She was always willing to use her knowledge, insiqht and wisdom to help the youth advance spiritually, personally, and academically. " Emma Jean Fenceroy welcomed 2020, and on that same day, took her final earthly breath.
She has become one of a long line of ancestors, watching over those whom she so deeply loves. Emma is preceded in death by her grandparents; Laura Breedlove Colbert and James Alexander Colbert; her parents Martin Ruby Colbert and Ruthie Mae Greene Colbert; Sisters, Deloris Colbert, Hazel Wallace Colbert, Jewellene Colbert Mayes, and Shirley Colbert; Brother, Sylvester James Colbert.
Celebrating her life, mourning her transition, and moving forward without her physical presence are her husband, Melvin Fenceroy (Milwaukee, WI). Her children: Felicia Fenceroy Robinson (Milwaukee, WI) and Michael Fenceroy (Weston, FL). Grandchildren: Dairon, Tyehimba, Jasmine, Jabari, Bryanna, and Ciara. Great Grandchildren: Adriana, Kyleigh, Ava, Princeton, and Parker. In addition, her sisters, Gladys Chatman (Tulsa, OK) and Lorene Brown (Tulsa, OK). Sister-in-Iaws: Willa Colbert (Tulsa, OK) and Debra Fenceroy (Milwaukee, WI). Brother-in-Iaws and Sister-in-Iaws: Dean & Brenda Loche (Bastrop, LA), Rodney & Brenda Fenceroy (Collinston, LA), and Gregory & Edna Faye Fenceroy (Fargo, ND). One Aunt-in-Iaw, Bessie Brown (Milwaukee, WI). A special son, Antonio Robinson (Milwaukee, WI). God daughter, Willette Sims (Milwaukee, WI». Many nieces and nephews (including great & great-great, also), cousins, special friends, and friends.
Emma Jean came into this world, the fifth child of Martin Ruby Colbert and Ruthie Mae Colbert, on Thursday, November 5, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Emma was baptized at an early age at Rose Hill Baptist Church, where she was active in Sunday School, church services and events. After a few years, the family moved to Holsey Chapel CME Church. The Colbert family remain active members.
Along with faith and church, education was also important to Martin and Ruthie. They, themselves, had very little formal education. However, they insisted that all of their children finish high school, and enroll in some type of post-secondary education. Emma Jean successfully completed Dunbar Elementary School, Carver Junior High, and received her diploma from Booker T. Washington High.
School, May of 1960 (now known as Booker T. Washington International Baccalaureate High School).
In September of 1960, Emma eagerly entered Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. During her four years at langston, she remained on the Dean's list and Honor Roll. Emma also became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC., a service organization. She was also accepted into Phi Delta Kappa, an educational organization. In 1964, she graduated from Langston University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. Upon graduating, she was seeking a teaching position, and reached out to her sorors, who told her about opportunities in Milwaukee.
She moved into the Mary Church Terrell boarding house, located at 9th and Chambers, and began her long teaching and quidance career with Milwaukee Public Schools, which lasted 35 years, until her retirement in June of 1999. In 1974, Emma also earned a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In Milwaukee, she met and married, Melvin O. Fenceroy, on August 11, 1965. God blessed them with one daughter, Felicia (Fee), and one son, Michael (Mike). Emma's commitment to, and love for, her family was beyond measure. As Mike and Fee have shared, "She took care of things. She did so much for us all. We give her all credit for the way she raised us, and the type of role model she was." let's be clear, she was a strong, stern Mama, who had a belt that she carried in the car, as they were growing up, just for Mike. They say she softened up, just in time for the grandkids, and great grandchildren, who became the heart and light of her life. Her grandchildren reflect, "Anytime you wanted something and she knew of it-you may not have gotten it at that moment-but she got it for you."
In 1995, Emma became a member of Christian Faith Fellowship Church, where she served, and strongly guided, the youth ministry's Education Scholarship Committee. Those she served with recall: "She was always willing to use her knowledge, insiqht and wisdom to help the youth advance spiritually, personally, and academically. " Emma Jean Fenceroy welcomed 2020, and on that same day, took her final earthly breath.
She has become one of a long line of ancestors, watching over those whom she so deeply loves. Emma is preceded in death by her grandparents; Laura Breedlove Colbert and James Alexander Colbert; her parents Martin Ruby Colbert and Ruthie Mae Greene Colbert; Sisters, Deloris Colbert, Hazel Wallace Colbert, Jewellene Colbert Mayes, and Shirley Colbert; Brother, Sylvester James Colbert.
Celebrating her life, mourning her transition, and moving forward without her physical presence are her husband, Melvin Fenceroy (Milwaukee, WI). Her children: Felicia Fenceroy Robinson (Milwaukee, WI) and Michael Fenceroy (Weston, FL). Grandchildren: Dairon, Tyehimba, Jasmine, Jabari, Bryanna, and Ciara. Great Grandchildren: Adriana, Kyleigh, Ava, Princeton, and Parker. In addition, her sisters, Gladys Chatman (Tulsa, OK) and Lorene Brown (Tulsa, OK). Sister-in-Iaws: Willa Colbert (Tulsa, OK) and Debra Fenceroy (Milwaukee, WI). Brother-in-Iaws and Sister-in-Iaws: Dean & Brenda Loche (Bastrop, LA), Rodney & Brenda Fenceroy (Collinston, LA), and Gregory & Edna Faye Fenceroy (Fargo, ND). One Aunt-in-Iaw, Bessie Brown (Milwaukee, WI). A special son, Antonio Robinson (Milwaukee, WI). God daughter, Willette Sims (Milwaukee, WI». Many nieces and nephews (including great & great-great, also), cousins, special friends, and friends.
Along with faith and church, education was also important to Martin and Ruthie. They, themselves, had very little formal education. However, they insisted that all of their children finish high school, and enroll in some type of post-secondary education. Emma Jean successfully completed Dunbar Elementary School, Carver Junior High, and received her diploma from Booker T. Washington High.
School, May of 1960 (now known as Booker T. Washington International Baccalaureate High School).
In September of 1960, Emma eagerly entered Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. During her four years at langston, she remained on the Dean's list and Honor Roll. Emma also became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC., a service organization. She was also accepted into Phi Delta Kappa, an educational organization. In 1964, she graduated from Langston University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. Upon graduating, she was seeking a teaching position, and reached out to her sorors, who told her about opportunities in Milwaukee.
She moved into the Mary Church Terrell boarding house, located at 9th and Chambers, and began her long teaching and quidance career with Milwaukee Public Schools, which lasted 35 years, until her retirement in June of 1999. In 1974, Emma also earned a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In Milwaukee, she met and married, Melvin O. Fenceroy, on August 11, 1965. God blessed them with one daughter, Felicia (Fee), and one son, Michael (Mike). Emma's commitment to, and love for, her family was beyond measure. As Mike and Fee have shared, "She took care of things. She did so much for us all. We give her all credit for the way she raised us, and the type of role model she was." let's be clear, she was a strong, stern Mama, who had a belt that she carried in the car, as they were growing up, just for Mike. They say she softened up, just in time for the grandkids, and great grandchildren, who became the heart and light of her life. Her grandchildren reflect, "Anytime you wanted something and she knew of it-you may not have gotten it at that moment-but she got it for you."
In 1995, Emma became a member of Christian Faith Fellowship Church, where she served, and strongly guided, the youth ministry's Education Scholarship Committee. Those she served with recall: "She was always willing to use her knowledge, insiqht and wisdom to help the youth advance spiritually, personally, and academically. " Emma Jean Fenceroy welcomed 2020, and on that same day, took her final earthly breath.
She has become one of a long line of ancestors, watching over those whom she so deeply loves. Emma is preceded in death by her grandparents; Laura Breedlove Colbert and James Alexander Colbert; her parents Martin Ruby Colbert and Ruthie Mae Greene Colbert; Sisters, Deloris Colbert, Hazel Wallace Colbert, Jewellene Colbert Mayes, and Shirley Colbert; Brother, Sylvester James Colbert.
Celebrating her life, mourning her transition, and moving forward without her physical presence are her husband, Melvin Fenceroy (Milwaukee, WI). Her children: Felicia Fenceroy Robinson (Milwaukee, WI) and Michael Fenceroy (Weston, FL). Grandchildren: Dairon, Tyehimba, Jasmine, Jabari, Bryanna, and Ciara. Great Grandchildren: Adriana, Kyleigh, Ava, Princeton, and Parker. In addition, her sisters, Gladys Chatman (Tulsa, OK) and Lorene Brown (Tulsa, OK). Sister-in-Iaws: Willa Colbert (Tulsa, OK) and Debra Fenceroy (Milwaukee, WI). Brother-in-Iaws and Sister-in-Iaws: Dean & Brenda Loche (Bastrop, LA), Rodney & Brenda Fenceroy (Collinston, LA), and Gregory & Edna Faye Fenceroy (Fargo, ND). One Aunt-in-Iaw, Bessie Brown (Milwaukee, WI). A special son, Antonio Robinson (Milwaukee, WI). God daughter, Willette Sims (Milwaukee, WI». Many nieces and nephews (including great & great-great, also), cousins, special friends, and friends.
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