Racine – Mother Erma Lee Knox, age 89, passed away peacefully at Ascension All Saints Medical Center Monday morning, March 1, 2021.

Erma was born in Jackson, Arkansas on August 20, 1931 to Allen and Maggie Hathaway. Due to the unexpected early death of her mother, Erma was raised by her Auntie Ethel. She moved to Racine in the 1950's. With a profound work ethic, Erma was employed by various local companies, including the Urban League, A-Center, Innovative Child Care and provided private home care to those in need.

Mother Erma was truly old-school. She used a wash board for laundry and always hung clothes out to dry. She was always in the kitchen making homemade meals for her family. Erma was a proud & faithful member at Greater Mount Eagle Baptist Church, where she was a Mother in the church; and active in so many ways, including serving on the Usher Board, Church Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms, Vice-President of Mission Board, and member of the BTU. Erma was forever sharing her religion & beliefs with others, always doing her best to get family & friends to go to church. She was also an advocate of her north side home community, where the entire neighborhood all knew her as "Mother Erma". Above all, Erma was all about family & loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren (all of whom Erma called each one affectionately "Booty Boo").

Surviving are her children, Erma Jean Odems, Caroline Griffin, Leetha Griffin, Abbott Griffin, Cornelius "Neal" Griffin, Lawrence Griffin and Dennis Griffin; 17 grandchildren (including special granddaughter, Leewauna Epps); 33 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Mattie McJunkins; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

In addition to her Lord, Mother Erma was greeted in Heaven by her mother, Maggie Hathaway; beloved husbands, Harrison Odems, Floyd Griffin, and George Knox; cherished children, Calvin, Rosetta & Floyd Griffin; sisters, Ethel Anderson, Georgia Hathaway and Magnolia Davis; niece, Gwen Hall; and great-nephew, Johnathan Hall.

Family homegoing services celebrating Mother Erma's life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 11:00 am with Rev. Keith T. Evans officiating. Public viewing will be in the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 – 11:00 am. Private interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Service Details

Family homegoing services celebrating Mother Erma's life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 11:00 am with Rev. Keith T. Evans officiating. Public viewing will be in the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 – 11:00 am. Private interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Live Stream Link: https://youtu.be/bMGaZM4hucs