Emma C. Brookie

Emma Lou Clayton Brookie, 97, passed away peacefully at her residence on April 8, 2025. A private funeral will be held on April 15th.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband, James, and sisters, Juanita Stewart and Mary Sue Harvey. She is survived by her daughters, Lu Hesler (Kevin) and Jo Stanaland (Kevin) and grandchildren Megan (Jon), Lauren Elizabeth (Alex), Brooke, and Bryan.

Emma was born in Indianapolis, IN on December 14, 1927 to Ethel Janette (Jones) and Roy F. Clayton. After graduating from George Washington High School, Emma worked at the Indiana Bell Telephone Company. While there she met her best friend, Madalene, and supported the war efforts as a telephone operator at Camp Atterbury where she loved to go dancing between shifts. She married James Brookie in 1958. In July of 1960, Emma retired from the phone company to become a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Once her daughters were in elementary school she started work as a Teacher’s Aide working at Eastbrook Elementary and Guion Creek Elementary. When her youngest went off to college, she began her career in retail at the L.S. Ayres Sparkle Shop during Christmas, before taking a permanent role with the company that became Macy’s until 2004, when she retired.

Emma will long be remembered for her seamstress skills and crafting abilities. She sewed all the dress-up clothes for her grandchildren - and later aprons - as well as bandanas for her family’s beloved dogs, Phoebe, Ginger, and Scout. When her daughters were in school, she also helped make costumes for various performances including many for the Pikettes. She always had the craft box ready for when Megan and Lauren came over after school or on the weekends. She loved watching TV and movies and introduced her grandkids to all the classics like I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, Easter Parade, and the Shirley Temple movies.

She will always be remembered for her independence. One story she loved to tell was how she had the goals of purchasing her own car, diamond ring, and fur coat before getting married (and she did). Her way of living life made her a unique and admirable person and she will always be remembered for her no-nonsense ways.