Emma Salena "Mother" (Holt) Harris was born on June 18, 1922 in Jasper, Arkansas, the daughter of William Leonard and Arzella (Morgan) Holt. Emma entered into peace on Monday afternoon, March 23, 2009 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa.

Emma was born and raised in Jasper where she attended school and graduated from high school. Following her marriage to Claude Harris, Sr. in 1941 the couple moved to Hamburg, Iowa. They were later divorced. Emma later moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska and following her retirement moved to Essex, Iowa.

She worked for several local businesses in Nebraska City; including serving as hostess at Steinhart Lodge and working as a seamstress for Pendleton and Jade until her retirement. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, embroidery, quilting, watching the birds, tending to her flowers, and being outdoors. Emma was also quite the baker. She enjoyed making her famous cinnamon rolls and preparing big family dinners. She was also a member of the Essex Presbyterian Church and the Church of the Nazarene in Shenandoah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Joyce Robinson; brothers, Allen, Walter (Ish Moe), Franklin and Robert; sisters, Maudie Alice, Nola, Alice and Betty Lou; and half sisters, Helen and Marie.

Those left to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy include her four children, Joyce Robinson (deceased), Patsy Thomas of Essex, Sharon Eden and husband Ralph of Green Forest, Arkansas and Claude Harris, Jr. and wife Susie of Essex; 19 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.