M. "Freda" Emerick (Seymour)'s Obituary
Freda Emerick, beloved wife of Roy Emerick, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on December 19, 2014, at her home in rural Seymour, Missouri. She was eighty years, two months and two days wise.
One of eight children, she was born Mable Alfreda Owens on October 17, 1934, to King David and Sarah Lela (Cook) Owens in rural Webster County on a farm east of Diggins, Missouri. The Owens’ grew up in Wildcat Holler. She was a ‘Gentry Girl’ and attended Gentry School. Throughout her years, Mable Alfreda was affectionately known to all as ‘Freda’.
On May 23, 1952, Freda was united in marriage to Roy Edward Emerick and to this union four daughters were born. The Emericks made their home and raised their girls in Seymour. Roy and Freda were happily married for nearly 63 years. Freda was saved at an early age and spent her younger years attending the Pentecostal Church. She was an avid collector of quarters and always on the hunt to fill her state quarter collection. She also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and playing checkers and pretending to be ‘George.’ Though she helped with the family farm every day, she also worked outside the home. She worked at the shoe factory in Seymour for several years before its closing, and then for more than 30 years at Tobin Hamilton Shoe Factory in Mansfield, Missouri. More than anything, Freda’s heart revolved around her children and grandchildren. All of her grandchildren – seventeen in all – were the light of her life and brought joy to her world. Freda was preceded in death by her mother and father, King and Sarah Owens; sister, Mildred Sullivan; and brothers, Raymond, Hershel, Robert and Marvin Owens. She leaves behind her loving husband Roy of the home; four daughters, Bonnie Emerick, Beverly Cornelison, Betty Emerick and Barb Emerick, all of Seymour; six grandchildren, Lori Cross and husband Roger, of Mansfield; Shalawn Lawrence and husband Sean, of Hartville, Missouri; Missy Grabher and significant other P.J. Matney, of Diggins; Zack Cornelison of Seymour; Sarah Dunbar and husband Stetson, of Hawaii; and Tabby Emerick of Seymour; nine great-grandchildren, Jacqueline, Drew, Chauncie, Candace, Chelsea, Chance, Aaron, Darrian and Gannon; and two great-great-grandchildren, Brooklynn and Macey; sister, Marjorie Stafford and husband Walter, of Diggins; brother, Melvin Owens and wife Delores, of Seymour; too many nieces and nephews to count and many, many more extended family, dear friends and neighbors. Mable Alfreda Emerick was a devoted wife for over 62 years, a loving mother and grandmother, and a caring sister and friend. She was a strong woman who loved and cared for her family more than anything. We take this time on this day to honor a long life that created dear memories and moments for family and friends that will be treasured in their hearts and minds forever.
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