BIRTH
Emma was born the daughter of Andrew W. Grossman and Hannah Erich in Bethel Missouri.

BETHEL
In 1844, Wilhelm Keil led a group of Pennsylvanians and Ohioans into north east Missouri and established a fairly self-sufficient Christian community under his leadership.
Emma's grandparents were among the founding members of the Bethel Colony. Emma's father was a shoe cobbler, as was his German-born father before him, a useful and beneficial skill within the community. Emma attended school and grew up in Bethel, though the Bethel Community under Keil had peacefully disbanded and divested by 1879.

FIRST MARRIAGE
Emma married James Austin Kendrick in Shelbina MO on October 13 of 1897. Emma was only 17, and lied about her age...in those days a young lady needed to be 18 to marry without parental consent. After 5 children, their marriage dissolved.
1. James [1899]
2. Iva Leona [1900] +William Koontz
3. Velma L. [1903] +Albert S. Pierce
4. George Thomas [1906] +Eula, +Selma A. Hunt
5. Loretta [1910] +George Francis Coates

SECOND MARRIAGE
Charles Edgar Richards courted and then married her on June 20 1916 in Shelbina MO. She became the mother of 5 more children with Charley.
1. Freddie Lee [1917] +Thelma Maddox 2.Vila Long
2. Willard Francis [1919] +Beulah May Pflum
3. Merle [1924] +Ruth Willey
4. Earl [1924] +Alice Brandt
5. Mildred [1921] +William Sickler 2.Oris Dunbar

WORKING YEARS
Emma was noted as a laundress at home [assisted by daughter Velma] in the 1920 census, and as a maid at the Waverly Hotel in downtown Shelbina in the 1930 census. Charley was incarcerated for bootlegging in the early 1930s, which further complicated a hard life.

HER FAITH IN CHRIST
Emma was a believer in Jesus Christ. She attended worship gatherings at the Shelbina Assembly of God on Maple Street in her later life. I remember that she kept her Bible near her favorite chair. She had a German Bible, also, and could speak/read/write the language. She loved to listen to Billy Graham on the radio. She would often warn us, "We are living in the Book of Revelation right now!" She knew, as the Bible says, that Jesus will return to earth to gather His people to safety and judge those who have rejected His offered forgiveness.

A LONG LIFE
She was a tough, though loving, lady who fit the times she lived in. Her life of 88 years spanned from the "horse and buggy" days to the Wright Bros. aeroplane to space exploration.

MY REMEMBRANCES
There was always a lively conversation at her house when Dad took us over to visit on Saturdays! She was "full of vinegar" as we used to say--laughed a lot, and had a bit of a German temper--but was always hospitable and willing to share their meager meals with us. I remember her having my Dad pull some of her teeth with a pair of pliers [a tough woman, indeed!], and chewing Velvet brand tobacco from a red tin as she tried to stop smoking. Emma dearly loved Country Music [Hank Williams especially!].

I am privileged to have known her, and look forward to giving her a hug when we meet again. HGR