Emma Jean McCarter, 86, passed away April 30, 2018 after a lengthy battle of Wegener's disease. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 24,1931. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Reid; parents, Minnie Pearl and James Clement Reid.

Emma Jean graduated from Whitehaven High School in 1949, and was married to the love of her life, Edwin Hal  McCarter for 62 years. She was a dedicated, long-time member of Bartlett United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Edwin Hal McCarter; sister, Opal Hill and brother, Charles Reid; four children, Greg McCarter and wife Michele of Debary,FL, Leslie Cacaro of Lakeland, Linda Hughes and husband Dean Hughes of Cordova, and Kevin McCarter and his wife Annette of Lakeland and ten grandchildren, Shantell Crosby, Brandon McCarter, Justin Cacaro, Nicole Hughes, Chris Miller, Courtney Hughes, Adam Hughes, Zac McCarter, Reid Cacaro, and Leah McCarter; two great-grandchildren, Olivia McCarter and Shay McCarter; and nieces and nephews.

As a caring mom and doting Mimi, she will always be remembered for her generous heart, her giving spirit, her love for family, and forever thinking of & celebrating others. She will forever be remembered for her joy of cooking, and especially for sharing her unique pimento cheese and strawberry cake recipes with family and friends. She will be dearly missed by her family, neighbors, and good friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 4, 2018 5pm-7pm.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 2pm at Forest Hill Cemetery, 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38133 . Dr. Steve Shapard and Pastor Andy Thompson will officiate.

The family suggests memorials may be sent to Bartlett United Methodist  Church ,  or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .