The 88-year-old suffered from rheumatic fever as a child and was told by Bristol Royal Infirmary that she would probably never have children. However, things took a different turn and Emma went on to have 14 children with her husband Dennis Derrick.
These children then went on to have their own kids, and Emma became the very proud grandma of over 65 grandkids and even more great grandkids. In fact, with a great-great grandchild on the way it seems the ever expanding family is not going to stop any time soon.
Unfortunately, Emma’s family has suffered from a few hardships losing two of her own children and baby who was stillborn but she likes to stay upbeat. Talking to the Bristol Post about her life, she said: "Of course, there have been some good times and some bad times, but I have always thought the best way to get through life is to concentrate on the good times. My mother always used to say if you can't look after them then you shouldn't have them in the first place, and I always kept to that," she said.
Not surprisingly, being a mum of such a large family, Emma admits that she was always “cooking and cleaning” and while she got “a lot of help along the way from friends and family” the mum-of-14 “did a lot of it [herself].”
And while she knows “it can be tough keeping track of everyone” and has to keep birthday cards in her home just in case, she is proud of all her family.
"I am proud of each and everyone and I always do my best to treat them all the same, I have never had any favourites. I can't buy them all presents but I always have something in the house for anyone who comes around. I always have something in the house to give to anyone who comes around. I have toys in the front room for the little ones and there is always a few chocolates or sweets for them," she said.
"Having family around you is the most important thing in life."
