Howard Ray Emmons

Howard Ray Emmons of Grayson, GA, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Friday, November 13, 2015, surrounded by his family. A verse that captures his approach to life is Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." Mr. Emmons was 83. Born on August 23, 1932, in McNairy County, TN, he graduated from Selmer High School where he was a varsity basketball player and graduated in the top 10 in his class. In high school, he met the love of his life, Martha Nell Wilbanks, whom he married on Christmas Day, 1951. They were side by side right up to the moment he passed from this life into eternity. He proudly served for two years in the U.S. Army. A lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, Mr. Emmons served wherever they were members, from Union Grove UMC in McNairy County to Underwood UMC in Memphis to Mountain Park UMC in Stone Mountain, GA, he faithfully served on the Administrative Board, Staff-Parish Relations, Council on Ministries, and his favorite ministry as a Sunday School teacher. A precious memory for his family is of his studious preparation for each lesson he taught. He was affectionately known as “Poppop” to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends. Poppop was a familiar sight on the sidelines of sporting events and in the audiences of recitals and performances as he devotedly supported his children and grandchildren in their activities. He worked 40 1/2 years at Sears, Roebuck, and Company. His work for Sears took him from Memphis to Atlanta, GA, and finally to Chicago, IL, where he worked as National Manager for Merchandise Replenishment—or, as his children explained, he wrote the Sears Roebuck Catalog. Mr. Emmons was beloved by his many friends at Sears and was active in the Sears retiree community. He enjoyed golfing, old time country and gospel music, reading and studying, the ocean, and traveling with his wife in their motor home, especially to Plant City, Florida where they spent a couple of months each year for many years.
Our beloved father, grandfather, father-in-law and friend was preceded in death by his parents, H.N and Ethel Emmons, and his older brother, H.L. Emmons. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Nell, his children and their spouses, Sharon and Ted Morrow of Lilburn, and David and Jackie Emmons of Grayson, grandchildren, Katy and Pete Stigers of Bristol, TN; Anne Morrow and Jake Cullens of New York, NY; Amy Morrow and Kelly Hall of Lilburn, GA; Maggie and Daniel Penton of Titusville, FL; Tanner Emmons, Taylor Emmons, Hunter Emmons, and Emily Emmons of Grayson, GA; great-grandchildren, Nell and Peter James Stigers, and Naomi and Bethany Penton. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry (“Nick”) and Geri Emmons of Selmer, TN and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends. The Funeral Service to Celebrate and Honor the Life of Howard Ray Emmons will be held on Monday, November 16, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Mt. Park UM Church, Stone Mountain, GA. The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Tom M. Wages, Snellville Chapel. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Mt. Vinson UM Church in Stantonville, TN. . In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mountain Park United Methodist Church. Condolences may be viewed or sent to www.wagesfuneralhome.com Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company” Snellville Chapel, 770-979-3200, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 from 11 am until 12:30 pm held at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday at 1 pm in the Mt. Vinson Cemetery in Stantonville, Tennessee.