Cover photo for John Edwin Emerson, Jr.'s Obituary
John Edwin Emerson, Jr. Profile Photo
1933 John Edwin 2018

John Edwin Emerson, Jr.

April 18, 1933 — February 7, 2018

Mr. John Edwin Emerson, Jr., age 84 of Bolivar, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday afternoon, February 7, 2018 at Pine Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

A lifelong resident of Bolivar, Mr. Emerson was born Tuesday, April 18, 1933 to the late John Edwin Sr. and Ruby Nola Shearin Emerson. On Sunday, September 16, 1951, he was united in marriage to Beverly (Denton) Emerson, who preceded him in death on August 23, 2017.

He graduated with the Class of 1951 from Bolivar Central High School and served in the United States Navy on the USS Helena. In 1953, after the passing of his father, he was discharged from the Navy to come home take over operations of his father's store, Emerson's Grocery. As he ran the store, he was always kind and generous, often giving to those in need. He eventually retired in 1997. Some of his favorite pastimes included duck hunting, crappie fishing and gardening, and he was active in the local VFW. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bolivar.

Survivors include two daughters, Mary Nola Meeks and husband Jimmy of Halls, and Marian Puckett and husband Mitch of Bolivar; a son, Edwin Boyette Emerson and wife Rachel of Franklin; a sister, Barbara Smith and husband Luther of Bolivar; ten grandchildren, Susan Bunkley (James), Christi Meeks, Melinda Davidson (David), Blake Emerson (Tori), Tyler Emerson (Tiffany), Kristina Emerson, Joseph Emerson (Alise), Andrew Thompson, Katie Rickman (Johnathan), and Caleb Puckett; and ten great-grandchildren, Lillian, Zakk, Shelby, James, Bailey, Olivia, Adelaide, David, Will and Jeremy.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Emerson was preceded in death by a son, David Morris Emerson.

Charitable contributions made in Mr. Emerson's memory may be sent to:

First Baptist Church
826 West Market Street
Bolivar, TN 38008

or
The David Emerson Memorial Scholarship
c/o Jonna Powell at Bolivar Central High School
313 Harris Street
Bolivar, TN 38008

or
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
www.stjude.org/donate
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Edwin Emerson, Jr., please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, February 10, 2018

11:00am - 1:00 pm (Eastern time)

Shackelford Funeral Directors

109 Mecklinburg Drive, Bolivar, TN 38008

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Service

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Starts at 1:00 pm (Eastern time)

Shackelford Funeral Directors

109 Mecklinburg Drive, Bolivar, TN 38008

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Cemetery

Bolivar Memorial Cemetery

401 Orange Street, Bolivar, TN 38008

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Guestbook

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