Emma Jean (Ashe) Farrell

Emma Jean Ashe O’Neal Farrell, 82, of Mebane, passed away on Friday, June 13th, 2025 at The AuthoraCare Hospice Home of Burlington surrounded by her family. Emma Jean was born August 11th, 1942 to Annie Gibson and Alvin Estes Ashe in Alamance County, NC where she was the next to the youngest out of nine children. For a brief period, she lived in New Jersey, but her heart longed for the simpler life, so she returned home to Alamance County. She attended Alexander Wilson High School in Graham where she met her first husband, Harold Daniel O’Neal. After his passing, she gained an extended family when she married James “Jimmy” Elmo Farrell. Emma Jean’s pride and joy were her sons, Harold Dennis O’Neal (Crystal), Hugh David O’Neal (Donna), and Rex Daniel O’Neal (Amy). She was a second mom to James Mark Farrell (Laurie), Jane Farrell Allen (Neil) and Susan Farrell whom she dearly loved. Emma Jean worked in the hosiery mill for several years, but family was her most cherished treasure. She prided herself in being a loving wife and homemaker, a mom, a grandmother and a great grandmother. She enjoyed tending to the vegetable garden, checking on the cows or going shopping at Goodwill. She was of the Baptist faith and a loyal fan of The Gaither’s. She could often be found watching her favorite TV shows such as The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, Bonanza and of course her soaps. She is survived by her children, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild due in July. She is preceded in death by both her husbands, her sisters Jeanette Kerr, Mary Lambert, Evelyn Oliphant and Faye Smith, her brothers Donnie, Larry, Marvin and Ray Ashe. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 21st from 12-1:45pm at McClure Funeral in Graham. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2pm following the visitation. Burial will be immediately afterwards at Graham Memorial Park. The family will be at the residence after interment. The family would like for you to wear your favorite color or Emma Jean’s favorite color – blue. In lieu of flowers, memorials be made to AuthoraCare Hospice of Burlington, 918 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215.