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Emma Didlake
1905 - 2015
Emma Didlake
1905 - 2015
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1905
DIED
2015
Emma Didlake Obituary
Emma Didlake died Sunday in West Bloomfield, northwest of Detroit, according to the Oakland County medical examiner’s office.
Didlake was a 38-year-old wife and mother of five when she signed up in 1943 for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. She served about seven months stateside during the war, as a private and driver.
#MichiganSalutesVeterans
She spent time with the president in July during a trip to Washington that was arranged by Talons Out Honor Flight, a southwest Michigan chapter of a national nonprofit that provides free, one-day trips for veterans to visit monuments and memorials in the nation’s capital.
“Emma Didlake served her country with distinction and honor, a true trailblazer for generations of Americans who have sacrificed so much for their country,” Obama said Monday afternoon in a statement. “I was humbled and grateful to welcome Emma to the White House last month, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to Emma’s family, friends, and everyone she inspired over her long and quintessentially American life.”
Didlake was born in Alabama and moved with her family to Detroit in 1944. She was known to her family as “Big Mama” and recently moved to an assisted living family in suburban Detroit.
She was deemed the oldest U.S. veteran based on information gleaned by Honor Flight representatives through national outreach campaigns.
Granddaughter Marilyn Horne told The Associated Press last month that when Talons Out officials presented her grandmother with a short-sleeved shirt bearing the group’s logo to wear on the trip to Washington, Didlake took a look and said: “’I don’t have Michelle Obama arms — I’m going to need a jacket.’”
During her visit to the White House, Didlake wore a patriotic-themed neck scarf and sat in her wheelchair in the same spot in the Oval Office where foreign leaders sit when they meet with Obama.
Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
56 Entries
Elizabeth Claudio
February 12, 2022
Thank you for your service to this country, continue to bless here family and everyone that remember history of our love one. God bless
Germaine Kennedy
January 24, 2017
Mrs. Didlake, thank you so much for your unselfish service to our country. I wish I had the honor to have met you, I am sure it would have been a delightful visit. May you rest in peace, Gods speed to you Mrs. Didlake.
Cynthia Thomas
February 5, 2016
And so you shall be to me, as A FLAME IS TO FIRE,,
How you can show support
R Morris
November 11, 2015
An amazing woman ,Makes me proud to be a black woman. Rest In Paradise Mrs. Didlake
Brenda
August 28, 2015
Loved! Valued! Greatly Appreciated! Job well done, Emma Didlake. I look forward to hearing your life story firsthand when we meet in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
J Lewis
August 22, 2015
May the family of Emma Didlake find comfort and peace in knowing that she is in God's memory, waiting for what is promised at John 11:21-26 to take place. What a joy it will be then to welcome back your lost loved one.
Flo. Box
August 21, 2015
To the family of Emma Didlake. She definitely lived a long life of special mightiness from God. (Psalms 90:10) Dry your tears because you have the hope of seeing your dear Emma again because she is in a deep sleep waiting for God to call her name to come on out. She will answer that call and come out to see her loved ones again with open arms. Keep her memories close in your hearts and minds and cherish them forever. May the comfort of the God of all comfort be with you all during this time of grief.
August 21, 2015
Thank you for your service to this Country.and may God be with the family during this sad time.
Brenda Petty
Fort Polk, LA 71459
Anna Sanders
August 20, 2015
On behalf of Louisiana Women Veterans, we would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family of Ms. Emma Didlake, U.S. Army WAC, WWII veteran. Here is a poem that we honor our women who served in the military with at their service:
She is a woman veteran
Whose Service was true
She proudly served
The Red, White and Blue
She gave a part of her life
So others could be free
And without any hesitation
She joined unselfishly
She did her job well
With Honor and Pride
And served her great country
With the men alongside
We're proud today to know
That although she is gone
She goes on to glory
After a job "well done!"
And so, "Our Dear Sister"
We salute you today
A special soldier laid to rest
In this quiet, solemn way.
Inspired by: God
Written by: Anna Sanders
Louisiana Women Veterans
Miss Emma and her entourage after she met President Obama
Bobbie Bradley Talons Out Honor Flight
August 19, 2015
What an incredible privilege and honor to be able to spend the day with Big Mama. You have touched our hearts and we are forever better for having met you.
May you rest now in the arms our father. God Bless and God Speed
Eric
August 19, 2015
To family and friends of Emma: please take this time and use it to mourn the loss of a grand member of the family, the one who kept the family tight. Keep praying to God that you draw closer to Him and thank Him for giving you all a mother, grandmother, and aunt that had survived all that time to relate good stories of the past. Keep in mind of the hope that God has for us to see our loved ones again. We're praying that Emma is in God's memory (Luke 20:38). Love.
August 19, 2015
Sorry for your loss, may you find comfort in John 6:40
marsha kosh
August 19, 2015
August 19, 2015
Dear sweet Lady, Thank you for your service to our great country. You are one of the greatest generations.
God Bless you in heaven!!
M. Kosh
Ft. Myers, Fl.
May the comfort you family.
Willie F. Dunn, Jr./USN-RET
August 18, 2015
To the family of Ms.Didlake, You are in my prayers. Words cannot express my condolences. But I offer this-What an honor to hold the title of oldest veteran. But,what is so wonderful is the long life you lived. Truly an angel from God. Another American Treasure unknown to the world. I am so glad that our Commander-in-Chief acknowledge your contribution to our country. What an honor to meet him and his family and to be in the White House. Take your place among the stars-Ms.Didlake, you deserve it and much more. I salute you and offer you a traditional Naval Farewell. Fair winds and Following seas as you journey to the heavens above. A fellow comrade-in-arms.
Paul Alan
August 18, 2015
May God bless Emma Didlake and her Family and Friends.I thank her for her service to America during World War II. May she receive her reward in the Kingdom of God.
August 18, 2015
To the family of Mrs. Emma Didlake, I did not know her, but I loved and respected her as if I did. May I send my sincere condolences to you. You have been blessed to have such a good servant. God bless you.
James R. Austin and family, Jacksonville, Fl.
Don Bryson
August 18, 2015
Rest with the Lord sweet lady. You served your country, and we salute you for your life.
Mary Green
August 18, 2015
Thank You.
Jametta L. King
August 18, 2015
"Thank You" for your service! Servant of God well done!
The Carey Family
August 18, 2015
From An Army Veteran's Family, living in Up State N.Y. Our Deepest & most heartfelt sympathy to the family & friends of this gracious lady. May you find comfort in knowing others care & share your loss. Emma, a grateful nation thanks you for your service. You've certainly earned your golden Angel wings. God bless you all.
Mr. & Mrs, Charles G. Turner, Sr. & Family
August 18, 2015
To The family of the late Emma Didlake
May God bless the family of this veteran who served her country diligently. May the following words be a condolence to each of you.
It's God's Will And We Must Comply
By: Charles G. Turner, Sr.
(US Army Veteran)
Life is uncertain,
But as sure as we are born one day we must die
Sometimes we sit and wonder why
The fact is it's God's will and we must comply.
Throughout our lives we live through happiness and sadness
And many toils and strife
And when our earthly life is over we enter into our eternal life
Whenever a loved one or friend makes their earthly depart
It is natural for it to bring hurt and sorrow to our heart
And to deal with our loss we grieve, mourn, and cry
In all essence we must remember this is God's will
And we all must comply
For those of us that are left behind
We must cherish the special memories
And keep them all in mind
Just remember it is not for us to question why we have to die
It's God's will and we all have to comply
May God Bless and comfort all of you
KJ
August 18, 2015
To the family: I am truly sorry for your loss. It is never an easy thing to loss someone so precious and deep to your hearts. Her strength is one to admire. Never forget her love and always remember that our Creator cares for you too. He promise to help you endure these difficult times. PHP 4:6,7
Carol Dell
August 18, 2015
Mrs. Emma Didlake,
I salute you for your service in the army forces! You served your country, your family & children well.
Now, you're in Heaven serving the Almighty Master.
S S
August 18, 2015
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you.
August 18, 2015
God Bless and Thank You for your service. May God Bless your Family and Friends.
August 18, 2015
GOD BLESS _ psalm 13 and 91.
I'm sure you have taught many lessons to people you came in contact with, fly on and receive your crown in heaven. Sending love from Connecticut
We are honored to have provided our services.
Tammy Allegro
August 18, 2015
We are saddened to hear of Emma's passing and would like to give our condolences to her family and friends.
--HealthLink Medical Transportation EMS.
Kathryn Irby
August 18, 2015
Thank you for your Honorable Service to this Country, Emma Didlake. May God Bless your Memory. Rest in Peace, Soldier.
Wendy Floyd
August 18, 2015
I would like to thank Mrs. Didlake for her watch.
Scott Chamberland
August 18, 2015
Rest in Peace
Ralph Jones
August 18, 2015
"MAY YOU REST IN PARADISE FOREVER YOUNG LADY."
Jeanette Crutchfield
August 18, 2015
Thank you for all you did for your country, from one woman Veteran to another. Rest in Peace Ms.Emma
Gail
August 18, 2015
RIP
Eleanor Simmons Villalonga
August 18, 2015
My condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Didlake. Mrs. Did lake lived an amazing life. I want to thank her too for her service to America. She is an inspiration. God blessed her with very long life. Hallelujaha. May she rest in peace.
Glen Hausfeld
August 18, 2015
Peace.
Frank Wanken
August 18, 2015
Dear Family of Emma Didlake,
Sorry for your lost of this wonderful lady. Wish I could have met her. God Bless Emma Didlake.
With Sympathy,
August 18, 2015
GOD SPEED BIG MAMA,THANKS FOR EVERYTHING,TO MAKE OUR LIFE BETTER,YOU MAKE YOUR FAMILY PROUD,
August 18, 2015
God Bless you, our Queen....
Lovingly,
Riley and Cerise Johnson
August 18, 2015
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. Our heavenly father is near and will be a source of comfort for you.
Pat Harding
August 18, 2015
Thank you for your service to our country. You and your family will be in our prayers.
Barbara Caldwell
August 18, 2015
A true inspiration to all! I remember seeing her on the national news, meeting President Obama. My deepest condolences to the family.
Lopez Family
August 18, 2015
It's touching to know that Emma Didlake (like many others women) is recognized for being a devoted wife, friend, and a good person in society. Women like her are not very common today, and I'm sure that her good example is an inspiration for many men and women alike. My sincere condolences for your loss. It's a blessing to enjoy the company of our loved ones for such many years. May our Heavenly Father, whose eyes are upon those with a broken heart, grant the family the comfort to endure their loss - Proverbs 18:10.
Dwayne Bickham,Sr.
August 18, 2015
In God's care rest in peace
Lee
August 18, 2015
Dear Didlake Family,
Our loved ones who have died leave an imprint on our heart. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been truly enriched by having shared their love. So, please accept my sincere condolences at this time. ROM 15:33
Jane Dowling
August 18, 2015
Thank you for your service ~ God bless you and all of your loved ones.
Adrian Barnette
August 18, 2015
We'll miss you !
Joan Walton
August 18, 2015
May God bless you. Rest in peace !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lera Windham
August 18, 2015
Prayers for her family! What an honor to have been a relative of her's! Thank you for serving our country!
Earl Johnson
August 18, 2015
I salute you for your services. I thank the Lord God jehovah for your life that because you lived someone's life was made the better because of it. I pray that the Lord God Jehovah further tightens His arms around your family as they walk this road of bereavement and healing. Praying that as they draw nearer to Him that they receive grace, peace, mercy and whatever else they may need and desire from Him.
Ac Hudson Sr/ Family
August 17, 2015
My prayers are with Big mama Emma family in her transition. In that old spiritual song, "May the life I live speak for me. A bless life well lived, fought a good fight and kept the faith
Michael Fufla
August 17, 2015
Emma was truly an inspiration for all young men and women to serve our country.
Virginia Woody
August 17, 2015
Many thanks for what emma did for this country. Everyone needs to be like her and the country would be a better place
friendly holloman
August 17, 2015
God bless your service
NM WMS
August 17, 2015
WE SOLUTE YOU MAMA DIDLAKE! DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY FOR THEIR LOST OF THE GREAT MATRIARCH. PEACE BLESSINGS.
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