Obituary

Emma Lou Spears

September 12, 1943 - September 18, 2023

Emma Lou Spears, a resident of Franklinton passed away September 18, 2023 at her daughter’s residence. Emma was a 1961 graduate of Franklinton High School. She was a longtime member of Bethel Baptist Church where she enjoyed helping with the sewing circle ministry, mailing birthday/sympathy and an array of other correspondence cards to members of the congregation. She was also coordinator over the kitchen and planning of meals for a number of years. In each ministry, she loved working alongside her friends at church. Amongst numerous health trials and battles, she was a breast cancer survivor and survive she did! Emma lived to have a variety of occupations, but the one she said she loved the most was her time at First Guarantee Bank in Amite, working with Dr. Cefalu at his clinic, and her 20 years serving as a Washington Parish landfill employee for Creel Brothers where she retired. Emma was an avid gardener and had a natural green thumb. She loved to plant vibrant, beautiful flowers around the yard and to work in her vegetable garden every year. When asked which flower was her favorite, she had a hard time naming just one because she found beauty in so many. She said if she had to pick, it would be Red Tulips or any kind of Lily would be her favorite. She also took pleasure in cooking and having a good cup of coffee with her family and friends.

Survived by: Son and Daughter in law: Dewaine and Mimi Strickland of Broken Arrow, Ok; Daughters and a Son in law: Jelaine Strickland, Johnna and Rusty Creel all of Franklinton; 10 Grandchildren and their Spouses and an ever growing number of great-grandchildren; Sisters and Brothers in law: Margie and Jimmy Busby of Amite, Loretta S. Bracey and Karen Spears of Franklinton, Gaylon and Tammi Spears of Texas; Also numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents Fred Spears, Sr. and Ethelee Schilling Spears, her grandparents, infant sister Freddie Viola Spears, brother Fred Spears, Jr., brother in law Sidney Bracey, nephew Chase Busby and her children’s Dad, Harold Strickland. She had special memories of her Uncle Hollis and Aunt Thelma Spears.

Visitation will be at Bethel Baptist Church on Wednesday, September 20th from 9am until the funeral service at 11am with Rev. Joey Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers: Rustyn Creel, Brandon Voght, Justin Loftin, Dylan Ruffino, Trey Thomas, Andrew Pigott

Honorary Pallbearers: Jamie Busby, Chesley Spears, Clay Edwards, Marco Rico, Jeremy Tullos, Gerald Graham

The family would like to give a special thanks to Riverside Medical Center, Good Samaritan Living Center, Dr. Fabre, Pulse Home Health and Community Care Hospice.

In her honor and in lieu of flowers the family encourages memorial donations to Bethel Baptist Church and/or the Washington Parish Food Bank.