Emma Jean Mitchell

Emma Jean Mitchell was born on October 17, 1959 in Marion, South Carolina to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert and Lucile Owens. The only child born of the Owens, Emma attended primary schools in Marion County until the family relocated to Fort Pierce, Florida. Emma was gentle and calm. Throughout her life people were drawn to her quiet, regal, and elegant disposition. Early in life, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and throughout her time on Earth, treated people kindly, compassionately and with understanding. Emma exemplified Proverbs 31:26 in her life and career as a school teacher.
In 1977, Emma graduated from Fort Pierce Central High School. While completing her undergraduate degree in elementary education at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, she entered the workforce, and for a brief time, worked as a sales-clerk for a local department store. Her professionalism and politeness were exemplary and soon Emma was headhunted and soon employed as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher for the Agricultural and Labor Program (ALPI)-Fort Pierce Child Development Center. Emma's love for children and teaching pedagogy were superior and soon she was promoted from Pre-K teacher to Child Care Coordinator. While employed with ALPI, Emma continued her studies and earned a master's degree in education from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.
Throughout her career, Emma's love of education took her around the world as an advocate of young children and their families. During the 90's, Emma began working as a first grade teacher at Lakewood Park Elementary School and became known as an expert reading and mathematics. Many children learned to read and write while a student in Emma's first and third grade classes. In Emma's thirty years teaching career, hundreds of children were successful in passing state mandated standardized reading and mathematics assessments. She was repeatedly recognized as a distinguished educator for the academic achievement of her students especially learning gains on the state assessments. Teacher friends often "picked her brain" for ideas because she was so creative and had a phenomenal understanding of how to teach children complex ideas. She had a passion for teaching children labeled as "difficult" or having "behavior problems". Emma was also outstanding in teaching students with special needs including children with autism and cognitive challenges. She was passionate about equity in education and her life-long teaching philosophy was, "Every child can learn."
As a servant for Christ, Emma was a faithful member for over thirty years at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. She served in multiple capacities including a Steward and on the Finance Committee.
On December 28, 2022, Emma Jean Mitchell, a faithful, loving daughter passed away leaving cherished memories to her mother, Mrs. Lucile Owens and a host of family and friends who loved and will miss her greatly including: her aunt, Geraldine Williams, Anna Hunter, Larry Pugh of Marion South Carolina, her first cousin Melody Grant of South Carolina and Audrey Leon of Palm Bay, Florida.
Emma was preceded in death by her husband Mr. Joe Mitchell (2018) and her beloved dog, Leslie.
Funeral services for Emma Jean Mitchell will convene on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Stone Brothers Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, FL beginning at 2:00pm. Burial will immediately follow in Riverview Memorial Park.
Although many venues have opened and the restrictions of COVID-19 have been relaxed, we at Stone Brothers Funeral Homes are still enforcing the guidelines set forth by the CDC and FDOH to protect our families and our staff. We ask that you respect this, as it could very well save your life. We also ask that you acknowledge and execute the 6 feet social distancing guidelines as well. Send flowers to the service of Emma Jean Mitchell