Emma Christella Stapleton

September 23, 1942 - January 2, 2021

Emma Christella Stapleton, 78, transitioned into the presence of the Lord on January 2, 2021 at Boone Hospital Center. Services will be live streamed at 12:30 PM on Thursday, January 14, 2021, on https://www.facebook.com/htmayfuneralhome. She was born September 23, 1942 in Galesburg, Illinois, to Gordon and Mary (Wilson-Grant) Aldridge. She moved to Macon, MO at a young age where she was surrounded by a village of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousin. As time passed Emma and her family moved to Slater, MO where she attended school and graduated from Slater High School. Following high school, she travelled to St. Louis where she attended beauty school. She eventually returned to Slater, MO where she worked and served her parents. While attending a revival church service in 1967 she met her future husband and was joined in Holy Matrimony to Melvin Lawrence Stapleton, Sr. on August 24, 1968. To that union four children were born. She was our Matriarch and great blessing to our family, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was a faithful member and the church mother of Restoration of Life Ministries where her son Melvin Jr., is Pastor. Emma’s greatest joy came from knowing Christ and the blessing of family history. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, taking pictures and making videos, historical information and traveling to spend time with family and friends. She was always a pleasure to be around, so pleasant and full of love for everyone. Emma was preceded in death by her parents Gordon and Mary Susie Aldridge, her sister Beatrice Wilson, Sister Gardenia Aldridge, Brother Robert Marshall Stapleton, Sister Elmarcina Smith, Sister Dorothy Kee, Sister Rosetta Stapleton, Sister Christina Stapleton, Sister Betty Jean Stapleton, Sister Flossie Mae Stapleton, Brother James Stapleton, Brother George Edward Stapleton, Brother Harry Stapleton, Brother Mary Margaret Stapleton, Brother Joseph “Sonny” Stapleton and Nephews: John Miller, Dan Stapleton, James Stapleton, John Stapleton, Leon Stapleton, Dorothy Stapleton, Nieces: Mary Louise Washington, Robert Stapleton, Cheryl Newton and Rhonda Chamberlain . Survivors include her husband Melvin Lawrence Stapleton, Sr., of the Home, children Melvonne Trulita Boskie, of Charlotte, NC (Derrick), Melanie Stapleton of St. Paul, Minnesota, Melvin Stapleton, Jr. of Columbia, MO and Melecia Christhea Stapleton of Columbia, MO, Brother Maley Montell Aldridge (Thea) of Corpus Christi, TX and Sister, Mary Irene Wright (Tony) of San Diego, CA, Brother Leo Washington Stapleton of Columbia, MO, grandchildren, D’Erica Michele, Destiny Michaiah and Derrick Michael II of Charlotte, NC, nephews and nieces: Willa Mae Ray of St. Louis, MO, Michael Wright (Carrie) of Mesa, AZ, Christopher Wright (Emanuelle) of San Diego, CA, Shauntell Warren (Chris) of Centennial, CO, Dimitria Nicole Aldridge of Austin, TX and Andreas Aldridge of Leander, TX, Anthony Johnson-Stapleton of Columbia, Timothy Stapleton of Kansas City, Cynthia Umble (Darryl) of Columbia, MO, Diane Stapleton of Kansas City, MO, Leo Stapleton of Columbia, MO, George Stapleton of Columbia, MO, Earl Stapleton, (Frances) of Columbia, MO, Kenneth Stapleton of St. Louis, MO, Twala Kee of Columbia, MO, William Stapleton of Farmington MO, Lawrence Stapleton of Vandalia, MO, Sydney Harris (Gabriel) of St. Louis, MO, Glenda Coleman of Columbia, MO, Shirley Roane of Columbia, MO several cousins, great and great-great nephews, nieces and friends. Emma will be greatly missed but we will forever cherish the beautiful memories we have and carry on her wonderful legacy.