ATLANTA — Fulton County District 6 Commissioner Emma I. Darnell passed away peacefully at her Atlanta home on Sunday, the county confirmed in a news release. Funeral arrangements are pending.  She was 84.

Darnell had served on the Board of Commissioners since 1992 and was currently serving her eighth term.

An Atlanta native, Darnell served with the city of Atlanta in the 1970’s, and is credited as having written the city’s first minority business plan. The county says once she was elected to the Board of Commissioners via special election in 1992, she became a fierce advocate for senior citizens.

Darnell was a former college professor, and a graduate of Fisk University.

Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued the following statement.

“Commissioner Emma Darnell was a fierce advocate and her passion and concern for our communities will be greatly missed. She cultivated her leadership during a time when both her race and gender could have been a hinderance. But Commissioner Darnell challenged the status quo with a fierce determination to achieve equality for the people of Atlanta and Fulton County. Derek and I are thankful for the personal encouragement she has given us for many years and on behalf of the people of Atlanta, we are forever grateful for her courageous leadership.”