Emma Jean Kearns was born in Pageton, West Virginia in 1932 to the late Rosa Mitchell and Curtis Huff. She gained her wings and peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 31 while in hospice care at Brookdale Lakeview Crossing in Groveport, OH.
After a family move from the Midwest to the east coast, Emma completed her formal education in Syracuse Public School District in New York. After graduation, she would return to her Midwestern roots and settle down in Columbus, Ohio where she worked for The Ohio State University hospital system (University Hospital) as an aide.
In 1952, she married the love of her life, James Kearns, and they remained inseparable for more than 60 years. With newfound support and an unyielding self-motivation, she sought out a new opportunity and landed a role with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company as an Insurance Claims Adjuster. During her 26-year tenure, she was one of the first agents to pioneer the Medicare claims process which she would become ironically reacquainted with later in life.
Emma accepted Christ at an early age and nurtured her four boys in a God-fearing and loving home. As a member of Clair United Methodist Church (UMC) for more than 60 years, she was active in PPRC, United Methodist Women, The Willie Spencer Circle, Church Nurses Corp, Vacation Bible School and served as church treasurer.
A beloved community member, she always found ways to make a difference in the lives of others. She was a founding member of the now-defunct Geers Avenue Association, which was instrumental in advocating and securing funding for the Driving Park Library. She was also an active member of Marion Franklin “Sister Act” Line Dance Group and Kappa Gamma Rho, a local public-service sorority.
Her boundless benevolence also came in the form of strawberry bread, peach cobbler or groceries that would find their way to several doorsteps throughout Columbus. Her kindness knew no limits, as neighbors, friends and even the mailman would often get sweet treats, “just because”.
In her retirement, she found her second wind as she became an avid race car driver becoming a gold medalist in the Malibu Grand Prix. She also enjoyed traveling and shopping with her beloved, late sister-in-law Joyce Kearns, and attending OSU football games.
Graceful and beautiful, she bonded with an equally classy crew of life-long friends including Dru Adams, Lauretta Marbury, Shirley Hairston and the late, Helen Eubanks who shared a mix of sisterhood, service and more shopping!
Emma is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 62 years, James Kearns; sisters Genetta Moore and Rosetta Green; brother, Curtis Harvey; and son, Allen Wesley Kearns, Sr. She will be lovingly remembered by, sons, William “Greg” (Portia) Kearns, Ronald Vinson and Keith Kearns; grandchildren, Tiffany White, Alex Blevins, Tamika (Omar) Vinson-Reid, Allen Kearns, Preston Kearns and Alecia Kearns, as well as a host of other great grandchildren, relatives and friends.
PUBLIC Visitation 4:00 PM
PRIVATE Funeral Service 6:00 PM Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Clair United Methodist Church, 293 E. Barthman 43207.
Click Here to View Program
My Condolences to Preston and his Family
from Washington State
To the Kearns family and all my cousins, Greg, Keith I love you so much and I’m know just where you are right now, we all have the joy of knowing our mothers are all together again and we know the are happy and lots is smiles, May God continue to cover you all in his love, cousins I’m praying much for you all.
Love Ella Davis
William,
I am sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. I send my condolences to you and your family and I will keep your in prayer in during this difficult time.
To the Kearns family. We send are deepest and sincere condolences and heart felt prayers to you, that the great God of heaven cover you in His amazing grace, awesome love, and compassionate mercy to comfort all of you during this time.
Come up to my beautiful family and cousins all of you I love you all at this time I know it’s hard I’ve been where you are and I know how you feel we’re going to miss Aunt Gene I definitely am going to miss her she was a very important person in my life and now she’s resting in heaven with her sisters who she loves so much she talks so much about going home to see Mommy and now she’s up there with her and they’re enjoying the joy of the Lord and as we look on and we are still here on Earth if we live right and if we keep fighting for the Lord one day we’ll see them again take care my love to you all always marie green
To the Kearns Family.
May the peace of Christ be with you today and always!
To the Kearns Family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you during your time of loss.
May GOD continues to bless each of you and showers you with his love and sprit. GOD is always there for us to turn to. Let him be your comfort during these times.
Love to you all.
Dwaine and Athena Riley
To my neighborhood brothers. my sincere condolences on the passing of your Mother and Grandmother. I always said I was the daughter that Mr. and Mrs. Kearns never had. We were neighbors for over 55 years. Me and my daughter were Mrs. Kearns Girl Scout Cookie Dealer. Making sure she got her thin mints no matter where she was at, including Brookdale where I would visit often. Truly I will miss that lady and our conversations, a lifetime of memories will be with me forever. Thank you for our many shenanigans we shared. Love you!
My heart goes out to the entire Kearns family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I worked with Ms Emma at Nationwide. She showed me the ropes and helped me anyway she could. A very beautiful and classy lady. She helped me through a very hard time in my life. Our desks were side by side and she always made me smile. Rest easy Ms Emma.
Sending my most sincere condolences and prayers to the family and an extra dose of love and support to my friend Preston Tucker Kearns! May the lovely spirit of your grandmother embrace you. I know how much you cherished
her. May God pour his blessing of peace all around you as Mrs. Emma Rests in Paradise.
May God continue to be with you as you grieve the passing of your loved one and friend, Emma Jean Kearns. We live in Washington, so we did not get to meet her, but Preston, often spoke of her with great love and admiration. In the coming days, weeks, and years may your hearts be joyful as you remember her joyous and loving spirit and as you give praise and honor to God for the blessing of knowing her.
Preston and family. You have my deepest sympathy in the passing of Miss Emma. She was a mentor and a friend to me and my family. I have so many memories of her especially on our yearly Spencer Circle shopping trips. We had so much fun. I will miss her dearly.
To the Kearns family. My wife a I wanted to send our condolences for the loss of your loved one.
May God’s peace rest upon you.
The Alexander’s
To the Kearn Family
Emma was a beautiful Christian women and one of Clair United Methodist Women best. She was very supportive of her church and neighborhood.It was a joy knowing such a loving lady. May she Rest In Peace.
Veronica Nesbitt-Plano, Texas
To my family the Kearns Brothers and Grand children this is a difficult time for all of us my aunt was a very very special woman elegant delicate and sophisticated I know you will miss her so much but you know what God loves her better he took her from her suffering her loneliness for her sisters and took her with them an old what a pleasure that should be for us love to all of you and Emma you take your rest darling you deserve it may God keep you under his wing always with love Mark green
To The Kearns Family,
I met Emma at Nationwide Insurance. She ALWAYS saw the good in everyone. I will remember her smile and grace. May God be with you all during your time of loss.
May God wrap his hands all around your family and comfort you with peace and understanding as your Angel is in awe of her beautiful mansion prepared for her! God bless you all through these trying times! To be absent in the body is present in the Lord. Prayers and blessings to Allen Kearns Jr and Family!
To the Kearns Family
She is the sweetest person to know when she became my Watkins customer I loved visiting her residence she would share few life stories and she gave me the recipe to her infamous peach cobble. I send my condolences to the Family
To the Kearns Family , my deepest condolences go out to the entire Family. Mrs Kearns is someone whom I’ll never forget, she always kept me on my toes when I was in her presence. Prayers and blessings that you are able to move forward knowing that she is at peace with her God. Love Leah
After seeing her in all her Splenda, I know Goodwill watch over her and she will be waiting for you. Praise God.
My deepest condolences to the Kearns family. Your wonderful mother came to me in a dream last night. —We were leaving church and I recognized her and was so thrilled to see her—. Reading her obituary brought back so many wonderful memories of when we worked together in the Medicare Claims unit. Your mother, grandmother and aunt was a lovely friend to me, and one of God’s blessings! With love to you