She went on to attend North Carolina A&T University, where she studied business. Her college years coincided with one of the most important periods in American history. Emma became actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement and had the opportunity to meet prominent civil rights figures, including Jesse Jackson and Ezell Blair Jr.
Emma was also present at the Woolworth restaurant in Greensboro, North Carolina, the day before the infamous photograph was taken of college students being assaulted as they attempted to be served at the whites-only lunch counter. Although Emma may not appear in that historic photograph, she was there, witnessing and participating in a movement that required tremendous courage. Emma played a role in the struggle that helped bring about the desegregation of Greensboro.
While Emma was away at North Carolina A&T, her father, who was then a widower, remarried and went on to have six more children—two daughters and four sons—expanding the Debnam family even further.
To support herself while attending college, Emma traveled north to Ocean City, New Jersey, where she worked on the boardwalk at Copper Kettle Fudge. Each day, she would leave the boarding house, which was owned by the aunt of her former principal, and walk down West Avenue on her way to work.
What Emma did not know was that someone was watching her.
Her confident and graceful Debnam walk caught the attention of a young man named Nathan W. Davis Jr., who lived on the corner at 460 West Avenue. After watching Emma walk by several times, Nate finally gathered the courage to approach her and ask her out.
According to Nate, their first date was at the roller-skating rink. He would later joke that Emma spent more time sitting on her butt than she did standing on her feet. Despite her struggles on the skating floor, the two continued dating and eventually fell in love.
Emma, however, was not ready to simply walk down the aisle. She had seen a friend support her college boyfriend throughout his collegiate years, only to have him graduate and leave her to marry someone else. Determined not to make the same mistake, Emma told Nate that she would not marry him until he graduated from law school. Eventually, Nate graduated, and Emma kept her promise.
After they married, Emma moved to Ocean City, New Jersey, where she initially lived with her in-laws. Soon afterward, Emma and Nate welcomed their first child, Melode. They later had two more children, Carla and Nathan W. Davis III, creating the family that would become one of Emma’s greatest sources of pride and joy.
Like many women of her generation, Emma initially stayed home to raise her children. But she was a woman who always wanted more—not simply for herself, but for her family.
Emma became one of the first Black employees to integrate Atlantic Electric, the major energy provider serving the region. But working in an office was never where she wanted to be. Emma had a passion for education, and she eventually left Atlantic Electric to pursue the career she truly wanted: teaching.
She became a business teacher and dedicated more than 30 years of her life to educating young people. Through teaching, she was able to combine her love of learning, her business education, and her desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Education became not just a career, but another chapter in a life defined by perseverance, courage, and service.
Emma has also lived a life filled with adventure. She has traveled around the world, visiting West Africa, South Africa, Europe on numerous occasions, the Middle East, and Asia. On her 78th birthday, Emma traveled with her sister and Melode to the Maldives, where she celebrated her birthday by enjoying the beautiful beaches—a fitting celebration for a woman who has always embraced life and new experiences.
Today, Emma is the proud mother of three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She is a beloved sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.
At 86 years old, Emma remains active, independent, and full of life. She is rarely found sitting around with nothing to do. Her energy, determination, curiosity, and sense of adventure continue to inspire the people around her. Recently, she went car shopping, asked the dealer to show her a Jeep, grabbed the arm bar, jumped in, and asked if she looked good.
Emma’s life is a story of courage, perseverance, love, faith, education, family, and adventure. From the small country town of Warrenton, North Carolina, to the Civil Rights Movement in Greensboro; from the Ocean City boardwalk to classrooms filled with students; and from Atlantic Electric to destinations around the world, Emma has never been afraid to take the next step.