Emma Thomas

Emma Jean May Neely Thomas “Pearl” was born May 8, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama, the first child to loving parents, the late Mr. Clarence May and the late Mrs. Corrie Sanders May.
Emma accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior when she was a teenager at Eleventh Street Christian Church. She sang in the choir alongside her sister Carolyn and childhood friends, Kermit Jeffries and Gwendolyn Rutledge. Upon her return to Birmingham in 2011, she became an active member of Church of the Highlands, serving on the Dream Team as a hostess. With that beautiful smile and personality of hers, she never met a stranger!
Emma was educated in the Birmingham Public School System--a product of Samuel Ullman High School. At age 19, she began her nursing training at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama. In 1974, she re-married and moved to Detroit, Michigan where her vision of Precious Angels Infant Care Service was born. Precious Angels ICS was a professional infant care service that Emma owned and operated for 30+ years. She employed several people, and she had many clients of celebrity status. It was her joy until her retirement.
In retirement, Emma enjoyed cooking, baking, reading, jazz music, arts & crafts, and beautiful gardens. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved people. Emma had a natural gift for spreading love and a keen sense of humor. She loved to hug and tell you she loved you!!
On Friday, July 14, 2023, Emma “Pearl” made the transition to eternal life. She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson, Baby Ryan Lucas Murray; two brothers, Manchester Maye and Clarence M. Maye; two sisters, Carolyn Gamble and Dorothy Mack.
Emma leaves to cherish her memory: a loving companion, Kermit Jeffries; daughters, Corrie May, Tammy May-Richardson, Tracy Neely (A.C. Chambers III); sons, Carlos (Yolanda) May, Sr., Rico (Marva) May, Sr. and Eric (Kenya) Walton; granddaughters, Brittney (Sheldon) Portis, Erinne Chambers and Hope May; grandsons, Christopher May, Dustin Murray-May, Carlos (Jacqueline) May Jr., Rico (Rocio) May Jr., A.C. Chamber IV, Brian Wilson and Aiden Walton; six great-granddaughters and five great-grandsons; two brothers, Carlton (Rose) May and Charles May; one sister, Bennie (Daniel) Darden; two sisters in-law, Annie Joyce Maye and Marion Hays; one devoted god sister, Augusta C. George; one devoted god brother, Larry Porter and a host of nieces, nephews cousins, Michigan family and friends.