Erma Geraldine (Blake) Conway was born in Northern Shannon County on January 10, 1941, to Rachel and Charlie Blake. She went to her heavenly home on October 7, 2021, at the age of 80. Erma attended primary school at Fairview on the banks of Sinkin Creek. She lived in Hog Hollow and spoke of walking 3 miles to get to school and, it’s true, it was uphill both ways and often in the snow. She attended high school at Eminence and later obtained her GED. She also participated in some college classes with SBU.
She married Wesley Conway on March 14, 1959, and they enjoyed 62 years of love and commitment. To this union three children were born, Floyd, Cammie, and Julie. Her career path included working at Alton Box Board, Timber School District, Hank’s Restaurant, Angelica, and other local places of employment. But her specialty was in-home daycare for children of friends and family in the community. One of her favorite things to do was rock the babies, and sing little songs to them like “Jesus Loves Me” and “The Doggie in the Window.”
Erma and Wes lived in Timber most of their married life, where they raised their family, attended church, and enjoyed their neighbors and community. Erma taught Sunday School, served as the Secretary, Treasurer, and Song Leader of her church. She loved Jesus and would invite those of you here today to accept Him as your personal savior if you don’t know Him. Upon Wes’ retirement, they moved to Willow Springs, where she enjoyed being close to her kids and grandkids.
Her favorite pastime was talking on the phone, and she enjoyed spending time with her family, camping, hunting, sewing, crafting, and cooking. Her pies, especially her apple pie, was a family favorite, and her chicken and dumplings could cure almost any ailment.
Erma was proceeded in death by her husband, Wes; her parents, Rachel and Charlie Blake; siblings, Junior, JC, and Vie; niece, Pam; nephews, Kevin, Lavern, and Billy Jay; brothers-in-law, Ira and Leland; and sister-in-law, Alta.
She leaves behind to mourn her children, Floyd and Angie Conway, Julie and Brent Lovelace of Willow Springs, MO, and Cammie and Carl Younger of Eminence, MO; grandchildren, Randi and Jordan Slayton, Rachel and Dakota Mayberry, Casey and Joe Merkle, Cole and Kelly Younger, Jacob and Bobbi Lovelace, and Joel Lovelace and Shyanne; great-grandchildren, Brooklynn, Charlie, Makinley, Madalyn, Hadley, Weston, and Waylynn; sister, Phyllis Hagen and husband, Richard of Salem; brothers and sisters-in-law, Eula Blake, Alva and Joyce Conway, JoAnn Wibbenmyer, Kenneth and Gay Bland all of Salem, MO and Robert Conway of Bunker, MO; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Erma will be missed by all who knew her, but she is together again with her love, Wes, and we will see her in the sweet by and by.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 11, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Yarber Mortuary, Willow Springs, Missouri with Bro. Carl Younger officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12-1:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Willow Springs, Missouri.
