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Emma Jean Exom Turner was born on September 18, 1932, to the late Herman T. Exom and Emma Lee Anderson Exom. She was the fourth of five children: Nathaniel, Dorothy, Herman Jr., and Harold, all of whom proceeded her in death.

Her spiritual life was nurtured at Collins Chapel CME Church of which she was a lifelong member until her death on Thursday, May 28, 2026. There she participated as a member of the U.S. Walton women's auxiliary, the choir, and in many other committees as the occasion arose.

Jean, as she was affectionately called, was a product of the Memphis City Public School System attending Carnes Elementary and Booker T. Washington High School graduating in the class of 1950. From there she matriculated at Lemoyne-Owen College where she earned a B.S. degree in education. Teaching was her joy and passion, and following it led her to a forty-year career as a public-school teacher for the Memphis-Shelby County Public Schools system. Later in her career she pursued a master's degree in reading education and became a specialist in the field. She worked as a reading instructor until her retirement in 1996.

Emma Jean met and married Alexander (L.T.) Turner and from that union three children were born: Allan LaMont, Allayne LaRita and Alex LaDell Turner. Allayne and Alex have welcomed her into eternity.

Being socially minded, Emma Jean involved herself in many local organizations such as the neighborhood Alcy Hills Community Block Club, the Mothers and Daughters annual gala, and most proudly, the Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Emma Jean leaves to celebrate her most extraordinary life, a loving and devoted son,
Allan LaMont Turner, cousins, and a host of nieces and nephews.