Emma French

Emma Lee French, 85, of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away peacefully, May 22, 2021.  She was born in Chillicothie, Ohio on June 18, 1935 to James and Doris Burrus.  She married Esmer French on June 17, 1956; he survives.

Emma attended Chillicothie High School and graduated in 1953.  She studied nursing at Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland. She worked as a medical transcriptionist at the Battle Creek Hospitals and retired from Leila Hospital after 40 years.

Emma Lee was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.  She enjoyed and truly lived life through simple pleasures, spending time with her children, grandchildren and attending family gatherings.  She loved Sabbath afternoon rides in the country with her husband.  She enjoyed gardening and canning.  She would sit on the porch talking with neighbors while enjoying her flowers and watching her grandkids play.  She had a wonderful laugh and a love of shoes that was passed down to her from her beloved Aunt Erma.  She enjoyed her cats and faithful dog “Happy”.  She loved her family and continuously put others needs before her own.

Surviving are three daughters, Cheryl (Steve) Mapes, Amy Hinton, and Julie Wright; grandchildren, Emily Mapes, Amanda Mapes, Daniel Mapes. Alisa Illiff, Torren Mapes, Taiyah Mapes, Natalie (Sal) Aguilar, Matthew Wright, Lauren (Grace) Hinton; great-grandchildren, Alex, Elena, Aleigha, Alexis, Robert, Emma, Dammon, Dylan and Kendall; sister Clara (James) Engle, brother Donald Burrus. Along with many other beloved family relations.

She was preceded in death by brothers, Charles Crowe, James Burrus, Richard Burrus, Jerry Joseph Burrus; granddaughter Lacey Hamilton; niece Hallie Burrus; grandson Steven Wayne Mapes Arredondo and her parents, James and Doris Burrus.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services.  Funeral services are scheduled 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Battle Creek Seventh-Day Adventist Tabernacle, 264 West Michigan Ave., Battle Creek.  Interment to take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery. www.henryfuneralhome.org