Emma J. Kendrick

November 27, 1951 - April 21, 2020

A Tribute and Celebration of the Life & Service of Emma Jean Kendrick "I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV) Life is filled with challenges. Some of these challenges can be overwhelming for the faint of heart. Not Emma! It was her perseverance that was so admirable. Because of her perseverance and dedication to family, church, friends, and community, we pay tribute to her. Her many years of work, whether in the home, church, or community, have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. We celebrate the enthusiasm and zealousness with which she approached the causes she embraced. By her example, our lives were enriched. Emma Jean Forte was born to the late Dora Lee Parrish and Percy Eugene Forte on November 27, 1951, in Auburn Kentucky. She departed this life on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at the Medical Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Emma united with Macedonia Baptist Church, located in Auburn, Kentucky, at age 9. She loved Macedonia and continued to express her love by her tireless years of service. She was currently serving as a Sunday school teacher and assistant director of scholarship. Over the years, she served as a youth director, mentored children and youth, and was a member of the choir. At an early age, Emma loved reading and learning. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1969 and enrolled at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She graduated in three and one-half years with a degree in elementary education. She pursued graduate studies, earning a master’s in special education and rank 1 in elementary guidance counseling at Western Kentucky University. Proverbs 31:10-31 discusses a woman who is a provider, has a strong character, great wisdom, compassion, and is committed to serving others. Family, friends, and colleagues can attest that Emma exhibited all of these traits. Emma was a dedicated educator who passionately worked 31 years with the Russellville Independent School System (RSS) as a teacher and guidance counselor. After retiring from RSS, she was hired by Community Action of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where she was currently serving as an assistant manager/family service worker. Parallel to her commitment to the church, family, and her career was Emma’s dedication to community service. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma teaching sororities, where she worked with other educators to help provide educational excellence. She remained active with the Retired Teacher’s Association. She was an active member of the NAACP Russellville and Logan County, Kentucky Branch, and was currently serving as secretary and executive board member. Additionally, she served as Den Leader for the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 303 in Russellville, Kentucky, where she helped plan and implement year-round programs. One of her greatest joys was when her son became an Eagle Scout. Near and dear to Emma’s heart was her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. During its 110-year history, the sorority has partnered with local communities, regional, and national organizations to provide programs of service at home and abroad. Emma was a “Silver Soror” and was going to be honored as a “Golden Soror” in 2022 for 50 years of service. In 1972, while at Western Kentucky University, Emma was initiated into the Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. She was a member of Beta Rho Omega Chapter in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She became a charter member of Omicron Sigma Omega Chapter in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1985. As a member of Omicron Sigma Omega, Emma has served as President (7) times, Vice President, Secretary, Parliamentarian, Corresponding Secretary, Membership Chairman, Assistant Membership Chairman. In 2010, she was awarded the Outstanding President of the Year. She was currently serving on the following Chapter committees: History/Archives, Program, Debutante Cotillion, Scholarship, ASCEND youth program, Graduate Advisory, Health, HBCU, and Global Impact. On the Regional level, Emma served on the 77th Regional Conference Steering Committee, was a Cluster Area 7 Coordinator, and served as a member of the sergeant-at-arms, public meeting, luncheon, and greeter committees at Regional Conferences over the years. We are really like a “smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes” (James 4:14). The scarcity of time and the brevity of life should increase our urgency for what really matters. What really mattered to Emma was her faith in God, being a devoted wife and mother, and commitment to family and community service. She was married to the late Reverend George Kendrick. She is survived by their son, George Samuel Kendrick and Kimberly Hall of Bowling Green, KY; stepdaughter, Tynesha Kendrick of Leitchfield, KY; grandchildren, Lindon and Kennedy; one sister, Martha Elliott (Michael) of Auburn, KY; one brother, Danny Forte of Auburn, KY, nieces and nephews, Dustin Forte and Michael Elliott, Jr. (Beth) of Bowling Green, KY; Pricilla King of MA; Marie Taylor (William), Paulette Hines, Barry Hines, Emily Hines of Indianapolis, IN and Tony Hines (Loretta) of Farmington Hills, MI; great nieces and nephews, Bradford Elliott, Victoria Elliott, Jasmine Elliott, and Alexis Elliott; great-great niece, Aubreigh Cross of Russellville, KY; a special first cousin who considered Emma like a daughter, Flora Bell Malone of Auburn, KY; second cousins, Carol Whitlock (Robert) of Evansville, IN; Shirley Malone-Fenner (Grady) of Chester, VA; Sandra Malone Gilmer (Ron) of Ft. Washington, MD and Celida Malone of Clinton, MD; Rickie Malone of Auburn, KY and Stephanie Malone of Louisville, KY; and a host of other family and friends. Acknowledgements: Although our hearts are so heavy, we feel truly blessed by the loving expressions of sympathy through prayers, calls, visits, flowers, words of comfort, etc., or whatever part you played in comforting us. We are truly grateful. Thank You and may God richly bless each oy your lives, as He has blessed us with the presence of Emma. The Family Sincerely, -Your friends at Burnam and Son