Obituary of Emma Lee Dismuke

Emma Lee Dismuke WINSTON SALEM, NC – Emma Lee (Rucker) Dismuke, 79, one of the first African American teachers in Ashtabula County and longtime educator with the Ashtabula Area City Schools, was delivered into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Friday, February 4, 2022. She was born June 8, 1942, in Winston-Salem, NC, the daughter of Claude David and Ora Lee (Gordon) Rucker and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education from Winston-Salem State University at the age of 19, a distinction earned by few students past or present. She wanted to choose a career that combined her love of sports and working with youth. She began her career in 1964 at Ashtabula High School and, after 35 years between AHS and Columbus Junior High, retired July 1, 2000, but continued to serve as a substitute teacher for the district from 2004 to 2018, teaching her former students' children and enjoyed every minute of it! During her teaching career, she coached volleyball, track, basketball, and softball, but was also a mentor, confident, and friend. It was not uncommon to see her running alongside her students and athletes or seeing them greet her in the hall by her nickname, "Cheese!" While teaching in 1983 at Ashtabula High School, Dismuke was honored by the yearbook staff for her role as advisor to the Black Culture Club, which hosted all-school dances, presented the annual Martin Luther King assembly, and helped needy families. The club also donated money to the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation. She regularly attended church and became an active member at Peoples Missionary Baptist Church, where she met her husband Phlenoid Dismuke. They married August 13, 1966 and celebrated 44 years of marriage before his passing. Mrs. Dismuke served in many ministries within the church including Choir and Church Clerk. She will always be remembered for loving the Lord, her contagious energy, that beautiful smile, and melodic voice. She was such an inspiration to those around her, especially the students. Ashtabula was so very blessed to have Mrs. Dismuke's light shine for so many years. Mrs. Dismuke leaves to cherish most dear and precious memories to her children, Christel Simone Dismuke of Greensboro, NC and Phlenoid (Sheniqua) Dismuke, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; two step-children, Ann Eudell and Lorinda Cooper Davis; one loving brother, Ronald (Vonda) Rucker of High-Point, NC; brother-In-Law: Buford Foote, Walkertown, NC; 12 grandchildren, Rebecca (Jarele) Gaines, Joseph Eudell, Aaron Eudell, Romel Dismuke, Trey Lohr, Natasha (Justin) Sosa, Jaii Childs, Dominique Cooper, Aniya Cooper, Atavia Cooper, Sydni Miles and Shelby Miles; many great-grandchildren; nieces: K'Sandra Turner, Tonya Foote Little, Brenda Miller, Imogene Hunt, Jasmine Hunt, Nina Ross Hunt, Momo Rucker, Rodoris Sharp, and Gregnicca Triplett; nephews: George Tracy Dismuke, Anthony Rucker, Montee Foote, Ralph Turner, Antoine Hunt Jr, James Hunt, Damien Hunt, Buddy Hunt and Ronald Rucker Jr; two God-Children, Rita Wells Gorder and Tamaria Wells Stevens; many special friends whom she loved like family who will miss her dearly; and a host of cousins in other states that were an intricate part of her life. A Special Thank you to those who helped care for our Mom. We thank you for your love, dedication, and commitment to take time to serve. We are forever grateful. May God continue to bless you. Thank you to the staff of Douthit Funeral Home and Ducro Funeral Services for your professional care as we lay our Mom to rest. Mrs. Dismuke was preceded in death by her husband Phlenoid Dismuke Sr. in 2011; her parents; Sister, Claudia Rucker Foote; and nephew, Andre Robinson. Winston-Salem Viewing: Wednesday, February 16,2022, 1-5pm at Douthit Funeral Home, 515 Specialty Park Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105. www.douthitfuneralservices.com (336) 896-0061 Calling hours will be held from 12-2PM with a service to follow at 2PM on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at Lakeside High School Auditorium, 6600 Sanborn Road, Ashtabula. Please use the event entrance and wear a mask. Pastor Emory Moore of New Hope COGIC, a former student of hers, will officiate. Private burial will be Monday in Greenlawn Memory Gardens, North Kingsville. Those unable to attend Mrs. Dismuke's funeral service in person have the opportunity to watch the funeral service live streamed through Ducro Funeral Service YouTube Channel starting on Sunday, February 20, 2022 starting at 2PM. https://youtu.be/ienYYmngG8I Contributions in her memory may be made to her children at PO Box 16578, Greensboro, NC 27416. Ducro Funeral Services and Crematory, 4524 Elm Avenue, Ashtabula is honored to assist the family with local arrangements. www.ducro.com