YORKTOWN — Emma Estelle Epps Riddick, 99, entered into eternal rest Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. She was born June 30, 1921, in Dinwiddie County to the late Carrie and Richard Epps Sr.
Emma was educated in the Dinwiddie County school system. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and joined the Center Star Baptist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir. As a young adult, she moved to Lackey and joined hands in fellowship with the Rising Sun Baptist Church.
She met and married the love of her life Robert R. Riddick Sr. Born to this union were three children, Gracie, Roberta and Robert, Jr.
Emma was employed at the Yorktown Naval Weapon Station and later Nick’s Seafood Pavilion, where she worked for over 50 years.
Emma loved her family. We will miss her humor; her cutting, expressive eyes; and that delicious seafood she’d bring home from work.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert; three brothers, John, Frank and Charles; and three sisters, Ada, Maggie and Rosa.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children, the Rev. Gracie King (Clarence III) of Chesapeake, Roberta Hatcher (Michael) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and Robert Jr. (the Rev. Belinda) of Hampton; six grandchildren, Clarissa Earl (Christopher), Clarence King IV, Vernon Eley Jr., Vershawn Eley (Chandra), Katrina Joi Cheatham (Patrick) and Jennifer Williams (Marques); 11 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; brother, Richard Epps Jr. (Barbara) of Copiaque, New York; sister, Louise Whitby (Junious, deceased) of Chesapeake; sister-in-law, Louise Epps (Charles, deceased) of Dewitt; special friends, Jimmy and Ann Krikales and Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Kee; and a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, church family and friends.
A funeral service with livestreaming will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at Whiting’s Chapel with a viewing beginning at 9 a.m. Due to the current health pandemic, only 50 people may be in attendance. Face coverings and social distancing are required.
Share online condolences with the family at Whiting’s Funeral Home.
