Emma Jean Eaton (Rhodes) was born at home near Hurley Missouri on September 28, 1924.

She was the youngest of 4 children born to Harrison and Vada (Wright) Rhodes.

Her siblings were Ruby (Wiley) Rhodes, Ray Rhodes and Keith Rhodes. She attended Henry School (one room schoolhouse) grades 1 thru 8 and Hurley High School in Hurley, Missouri where she graduated class of 1941-42.

After high school she attended business college in Carthage, Missouri. After business college she worked at Howard Oil Company and Continental Grain in Carthage.

Emma married her high school sweetheart Ralph Eaton in December of 1943 during WWII. Ralph returned from the military in the summer of 1945 and they moved to Springfield.

The first of 3 boys, Kenny arrived in March of 1948. Stephen came along in June of 1952 and Roger arrived in June of 1955.

They began attending High Street Baptist Church in 1945. Both were faithful members until 1968 when the family moved to the Kansas City, Missouri area, landing in Gladstone, Missouri. While living in Gladstone, she worked for 17 years at Farmland Industries. They were faithful members of the Antioch Baptist Church there in Gladstone. Their sons Steve and Roger attended and graduated from Oak Park, High School.

After retirement Emma and Ralph moved back to Springfield, Missouri in 1986. They rejoined High Street Baptist Church where Emma was a member until her death.

She and Ralph enjoyed following their sons participation in sports. All three played 4 years of college football. Kenny at SMS (Missouri State), Steve at N.E.O. in Miami, Oklahoma and Kansas State University, and Roger at Northwest Missouri State.

Emma and Ralph celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in December of 1993. Ralph passed away in January of 2002 after 56 years of marriage.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph and sons Stephen and Roger. She was also preceded by her parents Harrison and Vada Rhodes, her sister Ruby Wiley and her brothers Ray and Keith Rhodes.

Emma is survived by her son Kenny Eaton of Henderson, Nevada; granddaughters, Jessica Cline of Vacaville, California, Jenell Spear of Las Vegas, Nevada, Andrea Sledz of Chicago, Illinois, Monica Eaton of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; great grandsons Archer Cline and Fisher Cline of Vacaville, California and Carter Sledz of Chicago, Illinois.

Emma was 96 years old when passing on to her Heavenly Home. She was loved by many and will be missed by all.