Jean Moran Emnett (AKA Orris Jean Emnett) died April 3, 2023. Mom passed away peacefully at 940PM at Sun City Center’s Life Path Hospice. Mom died, plain and simple, from a broken heart.
Dad’s death in November 2022 was too much. (Dad fought valiantly for 2 1/2 years a blood cancer battle). Mom did not want to find a new way to anywhere other than back to Dad and Our Savior Jesus. Angels have now carried her soul to them both – Dad & Jesus Christ! Mike was holding her hand when she took her last breath. Seven of us were in the room for a majority of the day telling stories, songs, prayers - spending time with her. The last thing done with her at 8PM was the playing of the song Holy Mary - Gentle Woman. She so loved this song and I gave her a blessing with holy water to our One God with the Trinity invoked for a blessing making the Sign of the Cross on her head. I whispered to her ”go meet Jesus Christ & see dad again.”
She longed to be with her husband, Joe Emnett of 64 years, who died in November 2022. Mom’s heart was ripped out and never healed in this short time. Mom died of a “broken heart”. Her purpose was unclear after loosing her long time 64 years partner in life. Jean (Mom) is survived by her adopted identical twins Lawrence “Larry” (Pauline) Emnett of Black Forest, CO and Michael “Mike” (Tina) Emnett. Mom is survived by her brother Marvin Moran of Spring, TX. Mom also has two grandkids Geordi and Cloe Emnett living in Colorado. She also leaves behind numerous nephews, nieces, extended family, and countless friends who mourn her loss.
Mom and dad lived for 63 years on a beautiful rural five acres of real Florida land - the way it used to be before millions moved to Central Florida. They raised us on this “homestead” growing a garden and raising many animals for our meals. Mom and Dad taught us boys how to “slop the hogs”, baby bottle feed the calves bought from the cattle dairy farm at the corner of Bell Shoals Rd and Boyette Rd. We learned how to raise dozens of rabbits, turkeys, ducks, chickens and a few hamsters, gerbils and snakes. Most were for eating. Some animals were for learning how to take care of God’s creatures, but most were for sustenance. We also had many great dogs growing up too. I even remember, more than once, mom getting the 410 out to take care of some threatening rattlers to protect “her boys”.
Mom’s roots were in North Tampa were she grew up near Lake Magdalene in a very rural impoverished lifestyle. Mom even shared a single bedroom with six brothers and sisters. They pumped water-by-hand from a hand well pump near the canal in the backyard. They fished in the canal and the lake nearby. They hauled the water in for washing clothes, cooking, drinking. Mom moved away to be with her grandmother closer to Tampa when she was 17. She soon worked at a dentist office for Dr. Wadsworth. One day Dad, who had recently returned from duty in the US Navy, went in for a dental cleaning appointment. Mom was a dental assistant. Mom set the proverbial hook telling her boss, “I like this one.” Mom, held Dad's hand so as to help with the pain she told me to “comfort him”. We all were laughing pretty hard with her and me saying “RU serious Mom??”. She was, obviously, very serious.
Mom survived in her early 20's a scary bought with uterine cancer very soon after marrying Dad. The same doctor proposed, ever consider adoption? I just delivered two twin boys that need a good home. Apparently, they did not even hesitate. Thank you, Mom and Dad, from Mike and Me!
The volunteering with Nativity’s Church Carnival dates back to the 1970’s had its roots in the core of parishioners to get the event off and running every year from its very beginning. Mom and Dad worked with the Dunlap's, Dearth's, Hamilton's, Kempe's, Stanley's and Encinosa’s to make it all happen. From set up, to tear down, they cooked thousands of BBQ meals for carnival revelers. Mom was a Nativity Cub Scouts “Den Mother”, as a Nativity School “Cougar Mother” she served countless lunches in Nativity’s social hall to us as students. Resurrection-St. Stephens on Bell Shoals Rd, St Stephens on Boyette Rd. Mom and Dad both served as lectors, Eucharist ministers, but enjoyed the longest run as welcoming Hospitality Greeters opening the door together for many, many years for parishioners at the 730AM Mass. In the 1970's & 1980's, the Nativity Catholic Church years were very busy! From BSA Troop #89 to the Nativity Carnival, both Mom and Dad were so involved to the extreme level. Back then, the carnival was twice as big as today. They ran the BBQ food booth serving thousands of bbq/smoked beef, pork and turkey meat they smoked themselves! Serving BBQ sandwiches to the entire Brandon community who used to flood into the Catholic Church grounds for this massive carnival that continues even until today. Fr. Lara and Fr. Diez were huge friends of theirs at the personal level with home blessings & visits. Mom supported Dad and helped often at St. Stephen's weekly Bible study classes on Wednesday nights weekly for many, many years.
Mom loved floral designing for countless weddings and funerals designing at two different florists in Brandon and Apollo Beach. She was a perfectionist with every petal – it was her passion.
They traveled 48 states in their RV crisscrossing the country numerous times. Mom and Dad drove to Alaska’s Interior seven trips all the way from Riverview Florida to visit Mike and Me. They drove the Alaska Highway each and every time except one time using the Alaska Marine Highway. If there was a couple in their RV who qualified for the “Million Mile Club,” it was Mom and Dad. Every place Mike and I were at, they visited in their traveling home seeing and creating one adventure after another from Alaska’s Brooks Range to the Florida Keys - Nova Scotia to San Diego. When you sing the song America the Beautiful and the words “sea to shining sea…..from the mountains to the prairies…” This was Mom and Dad. Mike and I have been instilled with this same sense of adventure by them - most definitively.
Instead of flowers, help those in need. Please give what you can to Society of St. Vincent dePaul through their website noting Jean Emnett. Mom volunteered with them for literally decades helping others.
Saint Vincent dePaul Society
https://ststephencatholic.org/society-of-st-vincent-de-paul
Reference life long memberships under under “Joseph D. & Jean Emnett”.
Jean (“Mum” as she called by Mike and I because she loved flowers so much) will be missed only for a short time before we are all reunited by Our Father God's Plan.) Emnett will smile from above on all and we will smile often for having known her.
Mom fought the good fight, she finished the race, and most importantly, she kept the faith.
She now is happy, once again, to be reunited when dad in our God’s eternal care.
Rest in Peace Mom; Love YOU Always, Your Love and Everything You Taught Us is in Our Hearts' Forever.
Lawrence “Larry” & Michael “Mike”
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 1:00 P.M. Monday, April 17, 2023, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Riverview. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Tampa, FL.
Cemetery Details
Location
4207 East Lake Avenue
Tampa, FL 33610
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, National Council of the United States
Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3706
