Thelma Emery, daughter of the late Fred and Nellie (Rhodes) Holt, was born December 8, 1936, in Wright County, Missouri, and passed away surrounded by her family on September 21, 2022, at her home in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She was 85 years, 9 months, and 13 days of age.
Thelma grew up with three brothers and six sisters. She always worked hard and helped her momma with the younger children. When Thelma was 18, she met the love of her life, Eugene Emery. They were wed in DeSoto, Mississippi, on September 11, 1955. Three boys were born to this union. Thelma and Gene moved back and forth from California and Missouri until purchasing their farm near Mountain Grove in the early 1970’s.
Thelma enjoyed having the biggest vegetable garden and the most beautiful flower beds. She and Gene milked for years and she loved raising baby calves. She also enjoyed every yard sale or auction she could find. She was always able to find a good deal even if she didn’t need more “junk.” Her most prized possession was her grandchildren. Thelma loved her grandchildren more than anything and would do everything she could for them. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Besides her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Eugene Emery, two brothers, Jupe and Tom Holt, and three sisters, Janet Holt, Sharon Kay Carriger, and Fern Melton.
Thelma is survived by three sons, Ronald (Janet) Emery, of Warsaw, Missouri, Donald (Tracy) Emery, of Mountain Grove, and Ricky (Teresa) Emery, of Mountain Grove, one brother, Danny Holt of Mountain Grove, three sisters, Velma Hicks, Margaret Tanner, and Donna Whitson, all of Waynesville, Missouri, ten grandchildren, Chris (Tara) Emery, Jeremy (Crystal) Emery, Jason (Brandi) Emery, Bridget (Ricky) Anderson, Matthew Wade, Ruthanna (Rob) Hardwick, RJ (Rachel) Emery, Justin Emery, Whitney Carter, and Charles Brown, twenty-three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
