Emma Lum

Emma Lum Tunica, MS
Emma Lum, 75, died January 8, 2025, at Methodist Hospice Residence in Memphis, TN. Visitation is Monday, January 13, 2025, 10:00am - 11:00am at First Baptist Church in Tunica, MS. Funeral services are 11:00am Monday, January 13, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Tunica, MS with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery in Tunica, MS. Memorial Funeral Home in Tunica, MS is handling the arrangements.
Born September 16,1949, in Memphis, TN to George Chong Lum and Jew (Chu) Yik Ngor Lum. She was a lifetime resident of Tunica, MS. Emma graduated from Tunica County High School in 1967. She earned an Associate Degree from Northwest Mississippi Jr. Community College and a Bachelors of Science in Education from Mississippi State University. Emma also earned a Masters of Library Science from Delta State University and an Education Specialist degree from University of Mississippi. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization for women educators.
She served the Tunica County School System for 33 years as a math teacher at Dundee Elementary and later as librarian and administrator.
After retiring from the school system, she began a second career as a loan officer at First Security Bank where she worked until she was diagnosed with Primary CNS Lymphoma in 2019. She has been a testament to determination and perseverance through adversity and was known to bring smiles to doctors and nurses who were amazed by her positive attitude even days after a craniotomy and was frequently seen walking laps in the hospital hallways during her stem cell transplant. Due to her strong will and motivation, she enjoyed 5 years of complete remission until October 2024. She was known for phrases like, "Just gotta keep on truckin'" and "Gotta do whatcha gotta do" and "Put it this way!". All of these encapsulate her perspective on life and are an example of how she lived with fortitude. Her most recent quote in the hospital was, "Straighten up and fly right!"
She was a dutiful caretaker for her parents and brother Charlie, devoted sister to Lena and Ruby, as well as doting Aunt and Great Aunt. She was an expert counted cross stitcher, dog lover, respected community member and friend. She made countless homemade and meticulously decorated cakes for Karen, Kathleen & Emily's birthdays as well as others in the community. She was an avid gardener with a magical green thumb; able to sprout any seed and nurse any indoor plant. She was generous with her home grown produce, proud to share the fruits of her labors.
She was predeceased by her parents Mr. & Mrs. George Lum, brothers Bing Wong, and Bing Yuen, and Charlie Nobles Lum. She is survived by her sisters Lidian (Lena) Hamby (Sonny) of Olive Branch, MS, and Ruby M. Lum of Tunica, MS; nieces Susan Galioto (Joe) of Branchburg, NJ, Karen McKelroy (Mark) of Memphis, TN, and Kathleen Gafford (Jim) of Charlotte, NC; nephews Andrew Lum of NYC, NY and Christopher Lum, of Westfield, NJ. Grandnieces are Emily McKelroy and Rebecca Lum; grandnephews are Joseph, Luke, and Paul Galioto, and Aiden Lum.
Donations may be given to Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum, Tunica Humane Society, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Methodist Hospice Residence.