On Sunday April 18, 2021, Jessica Lea Embry went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jessica unselfishly gave her life to save two children from drowning at Kure Beach, NC.

 

Jessica was born February 23, 1981, in Morgantown, WV, and raised in Clarksburg, WV.

 

Jessica was preceded in death by her father, Paul S. Embry, and mother, Sharon L. Embry, both of whom she missed dearly.

 

She was the granddaughter of the late Paul M. Embry and Julia Folio Embry of Clarksburg, WV, and the late John S. Richards and Martha L. Richards of Clarksburg, WV.

 

Jessica is survived by her brother, C. Patrick Richards of Englewood, NJ; aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

 

Jessica graduated from Robert C. Byrd High School in 1999, where she still holds the school swimming record in the 200 Individual Medley. She was a graduate of Ohio University in Athens, OH, with a Bachelor of Music in 2003 and a Master in String Bass Performance in 2005. Jessica also received her Master of Music in Music Theory from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2007.

 

Jessica grew up in a swimming family, starting at the age of 5 at Stealey Pool in Clarksburg, WV. She was a competitive swimmer, both with the Mountaineer Aquatic Club (MAC) in Morgantown, WV, and the YMCA in Clarksburg. Jessica was also a certified life guard, as well as a swim coach for Clarksburg Country Club and Lumberton High School. Jessica shared a love for the ocean with her late mother dating back to her childhood. Many a summer was spent in Myrtle Beach, SC, with her family and cousins.

 

Jessica started her teaching career in Lumberton, NC, and later relocated to Wilmington, NC, where for the past nine years she was a fine arts teacher and Orchestra Director at Eugene Ashley High School. She helped create the United Sound program, which paired special needs students with those in her orchestra class. Through that partnership, the students were able to get hands-on experience with instruments and learn how to play music.

 

Jessica loved her church family. She was a member of the Lifepoint Church in Wilmington, NC, and was actively involved in many aspects of the church. She learned to play a new instrument to fill a need in the Worship Band, served on the prayer and care team and went on several mission trips to Uganda, eager to serve women and children there.

 

A celebration of the life and legacy of Jessica will be held at Sunny Croft Country Club on Sunday, June 13, 2021, from 1-4 p.m.

 

To honor Jessica, and her passion for helping others, a scholarship fund has been established through the RCB Alumni Foundation. To contribute, please make checks payable to RCB Alumni Foundation, One Eagle Way, Clarksburg, WV 26301. In the memo line, please write: Jessica Embry.

 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13