Emma Driver-Thomas

The Journey of Life for Emma Jean Jackson Driver Thomas begins on March 26,1936 in Bellclaire, Arkansas. Emma was the 4th of nine children born to Bill and Ella Mae Jackson. Emma received her formal education through the Arkansas public school system, she also completed her secondary education at Rosenwald High School in Osceola, Arkansas. In her youth, Emma was baptized in Denwood, Arkansas and was an active member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Chelford, Arkansas.
While attending a church in Osceola, Arkansas, Emma met and fell in love with a visiting quartet singer named Tommy Driver, Sr. from Hughes, Arkansas. Tommy and Emma were united in Holy Matrimony on March 1st, 1955.
To this union four children were born. Timothy and three that preceded her in death: Tommy Jr., Jacqueline and Michelle. During the years of their marriage, God blessed their family with 2 adopted children, Virginia Sconiers, and Anthony Wayne Smith. Emma was also a mother figure to many, many others including her God-daughter Angela Whitson.
She later moved to Gary, Indiana where she joined New Revelation Baptist Church. Emma, longing for something more, she moved her membership to Mt. Bethany Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana. God required more of Emma and called her in 1973 to join Open Door Church of God in Christ where she served as Church Secretary for twenty-five years. Emma also furthered her education by receiving college credits at a Secretarial College in Chicago, Illinois.
After many years of marriage, on July 9, 1985, God called Tommy, Sr. home to rest.
On January 6, 1993, Mother Emma married Pastor Samuel Thomas, who were the leaders of the Solid Rock Church of Holiness In God located in Gary, Indiana. Emma and Elder Thomas served faithfully for twenty years. They were foster parents to more than 10 children while raising Elder Thomas' son Vincent and his son's daughter Deondra, Tameka, Talisha, Tina, Angela, Laquita, Jennifer, Angela, Tyrone, Cortez, "Duke", Davisha, Mickyela, Shyieta, Tamika, and Jamela.
Emma loved to travel. She travelled extensively to the Haiti and the Bahamas islands. She also enjoyed cruising. After retiring from ministry, she left Indiana and made her home with Elder Thomas in Portsmouth Virginia. Upon Elder Thomas' demise on December 8, 2012, Emma joined her son, Timothy's home in Raleigh, North Carolina and followed him to Plainfield and Joliet, Illinois and ultimately to Tampa, Florida.
Emma made her transition in Tampa, Florida on November 10, 2025, to travel to her heavenly home. She had four brothers: Eugene, George, Carlton and Gilbert; and two sisters: Larlean and Rosie preceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her infectious smile and precious memories. Two sons: Anthony and Timothy (Sharmesa), two daughters: Virginia (Silas) and Angela; seven grandchildren: Narida (Trent), Mario (Wa Shawnta), Elvin, Aaliyah, Tommy, Jazmyne and Iva-Sofiyah. 9 Great grandchildren: Jacqueline, Promise, D'onte, Ira, Jade, Jamira, Lorence, Mari Ariana, Asad and her two loving sisters Henrietta and Viola. And a host of other relatives, friends, and spiritual daughters and sons who will forever treasure her life and legacy.
Visitation, Friday, December 5, 2025, from 12:00 noon-8:00 p.m. with family hours from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at the Guy & Allen Chapel 2959 West 11th Avenue Gary, Indiana 46404. Funeral Service Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Faith Temple of Christ Church 7601 Whitcomb Street Merrillville, Indiana 46410. Apostle Dennis Walton officiating. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park.