Emma J. DeGraffenreid

Emma J. DeGraffenreid was born May 31, 1947, to Lillie V. (Echols) Yarbrough and George McKelvey in Turrell, Ark. In 1960, her family moved to Blytheville, Ark., where she attended Richard B. Harrison High School. In high school, she participated in choir and Future Teachers of America. She graduated in the Class of 1965 with honors.

In 1966, Emma DeGraffenreid moved to St. Louis, Mo., where she met Joseph DeGraffenreid. The two fell in love and were soon married in holy matrimony in 1967. To their union, two children were born, Marilyn DeGraffenreid and Joseph DeGraffenreid, Jr.

Emma was always a woman of strong faith and trusted the power of God in her life. In 1968, her faith would be tested. When she applied for employment through General Motors, she was denied an opportunity. As the years went on, her test of faith would be proven to the world. After being denied employment by General Motors more than once, she then decided to sue the company in 1976, which would become the national landmark cases of DeGraffenreid v. GENERAL MOTORS ASSEMBLY DIV., ETC., 413 F. Supp. 142 (E.D. Mo. 1976) and Emma DeGraffenreid et al., Appellants v. General Motors Assembly Division, St. Louis, et.al., Appellees, (July 15, 1977), U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, (Jul. 15, 1977). Emma had stated that she was discriminated because she was a Black woman. These lawsuits became two of her greatest challenges and achievements in life. As she became a civil rights activist through her legal pursuits, she gained recognition and support from civil rights leaders, including Rosa Parks of whom she was most grateful.

Although the judge dismissed the first case, Emma, along with other Black women, would appeal it through the U.S. District Court of Appeals. Through the appeal, they reached a settlement, in which Emma and those women would finally get hired at General Motors. The uniqueness of the lawsuits was that these were two of the first cases in U.S. history to be filed claiming both racial and gender discrimination simultaneously.

After leaving General Motors, Emma went to culinary school and became a certified baker and caterer. Family, friends, and associates alike enjoyed her delicious desserts, pastries, casseroles, meat entrees, and all that she would cook for family reunions, weddings, funerals, churches, and other special events.

Emma’s family, spirituality, and dedication to the work of God were very important to her. She was a loving support to her family. One of her favorite hobbies was bowling with family and friends. Throughout her life, she would serve in church ministries. For over the past decade, she was a faithful member of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church (Ferguson, Mo.) where she served on the Mother Board, Usher Ministry, Cooking-Feeding Ministry, Helping Hands Ministry, and as a Servant Leader.

Emma retired from employment in 2014 at the age of 67 years old. Retirement wouldn’t stop her activism. Later that year of 2014, during the Ferguson, Mo., protests over the shooting death of Michael Brown, Jr., Emma assisted her church in the protests of his murder by preparing meals for protesters, boycotting stores, posting signs, etc. As the years would follow, she would continue encouraging others to do what is right in the sight of God and to always stand on the side of justice.

On Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, God summoned Emma to peacefully sleep away. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillie V. Yarbrough and George McKelvey, and siblings Linda Patterson, William Yarbrough, Sr., Willie Yarbrough, Jr., and Carolyn Ferguson.

Emma leaves to cherish her loving memories: children – Marilyn DeGraffenreid (daughter), Joseph DeGraffenreid, Jr. (son); Donnie Yarbrough, Rickey Yarbrough, and Kimberly Nzeogwuyah; grandchildren – Tony Evans, Jr., Marcus Oliver, Jr., Porsha DeGraffenreid, Joseph DeGraffenried III, LaQuana DeGraffenreid, Rion DeGraffenreid, Joniece DeGraffenreid, Jayson DeGraffenreid, Joshua DeGraffenreid, Jordan DeGraffenreid, and Tova DeGraffenreid; three great-grandchildren; a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and associates.

Visitation was held Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at 10 a.m. followed by her Homegoing Service at 11 a.m. at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church, 8420 Hill Ave., Ferguson, Mo. 6312, with Bishop Von D. Smith and Elizabeth Smith officiating. Interment burial service was held at Oak Grove Cemetery, 7800 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63114.