Joanne G. Emmons Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honorable
Joanne G. Emmons
Office:Member of the Michigan Senate
Term Start:January 1, 1991
Term End:December 31, 2002
Predecessor:John Engler
Successor:Virg Bernero
Prior Term:35th district (1991-1994)
Constituency:35th district (1991–1994)
23rd district (1995–2002)
State House2:Michigan
District2:99th
Term Start2:January 1, 1987
Term End2:December 31, 1990
Predecessor2:Colleen Engler
Successor2:James E. McBryde
Birth Date:8 February 1934
Birth Place:Big Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:John
Alma Mater:Michigan State University

Joanne G. Emmons (February 8, 1934 – March 31, 2022) was a Republican member of both houses of the Michigan Legislature from 1987 until 1999.[1]

Biography

Born February 8, 1934, to Ray and Emma Gregory in Big Rapids, Emmons married her husband John in 1956. She was the valedictorian of her class at Mecosta High School in 1952 and graduated from Michigan State University in 1956 with a degree in home economics. She taught that subject at her high school alma mater from 1956 until 1958.

In 1976, Emmons was elected treasurer of Big Rapids Township, a position she held for 10 years, as well as chair of the Mecosta County Republican Party, where she served until 1980. From 1981 to 1986, Emmons was a member of the Michigan Townships Association Board of Directors, and was also on the board of the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association for two years.

She served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, from 1987 until 1990, and three terms in the Senate. She served as majority floor leader of the Senate during the 91st Legislature.

Emmons was involved with a number of community organizations, including the Central Michigan Mental Health Board, the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board, the Pleasant View Farm Bureau Discussion Group, the Lutheran Child and Family Services Board of Directors. She was a member of Kappa Omicron Nu.[2]

She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Michigan State University Board of Trustees in 2002.[3] Emmons died on March 31, 2022, at the age of 88.[4]

Emmons was not related to State Senator Judy Emmons.

Notes and References

  1. 2001-2002 Michigan Manual: State Senator Joanne G. Emmons
  2. http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2002-SR-0309 Senate Resolution 309 (2002): A resolution for the Honorable Joanne G. Emmons
  3. The Political Graveyard: Emmons, Joanne G.
  4. https://www.9and10news.com/2022/04/01/former-michigan-senator-joanne-emmons-dies-at-88/ Former Michigan Senator Joanne Emmons Dies at 88