Emma L. Person

CENTER HALL, PA - Emma Lee Person, 98, and formerly a resident of East Main Street, Wilmington, VT, died Tuesday, December 18, at Wynwood House Personal Care Home surrounded by her family. She was born in Fort Smith, AR, on January 12, 1920, the daughter of the late David Carr Murray and Rillie Cain. She was a graduate of South Huntington High School and attended evening classes at Pace College in New York. As a youth, she enjoyed playing violin, was in the drama club, developed an interest in God, and began going to church activities when missionary friends gave her a Bible.
As a young adult, she enjoyed skating and spending time with her friends, was a model, and was employed with Standard Oil Company of New Jersey as an administrative assistant, and then at 30 Rock in New York City. Her younger years were affected by the Great Depression and World War II, yet like so many others, she endured hardships with poise and resilience.  Upon marriage to Arthur I. Person, she became wholly devoted to her family and spent many years caring for her children and making yummy meals and desserts as her love for cooking was fueled by her deep love for her family. Her love for God grew too, as she continued with her interest in seeking God’s presence in her life and life of her family, attending church and watching Billy Graham’s crusades and reading his books.
The family moved to Vermont in the 1960s and started an apartment rental business in which Mrs. Person played a key management role. Mrs. Person was an avid reader, wrote poetry, enjoyed listening to the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday mornings, and loved to attend all the musical concerts performed by her children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Person is survived by her children Arthur A. Person, Charles A. Person, and Janet M. Humphrey; granddaughters, Amy L. Johns, Heather M. Jones, Brooke E. Person, and Carissa F. Humphrey; grandsons, Brandon T. Humphrey and Benjamin A. Person; great-granddaughters Aubrey M. Humphrey and Aberdeen M. Humphrey; and great-grandsons Evan K. Johns and Joseph K. Johns. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur whom she married in Huntington Station, NY, on May 22, 1954, and her brothers Thomas A. Murray and David C. Murray.
Funeral services for Mrs. Person were held on Saturday, December 22, at Covey, Allen and Shea Funeral Home, 44 East Main Street, Wilmington, VT. Interment will be held in the spring at Riverview Cemetery, Wilmington, VT. Memorial gifts may be made to the Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad, Wilmington Fire Department, or Meals on Wheels in State College, PA, c/o Covey, Allen and Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family personal condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.

The Deerfield Valley News

797 VT Route 100 North
Wilmington, VT 05363

Phone: 802-464-3388
Fax: 802-464-7255

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