James Emerson

SIKESTON, Mo. -- James Eugene "Jimmie" Emerson, 63, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, at his home, following a brief battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

He was born Dec. 16, 1939, at Morley, Mo., son of Jim Mac and Ava Evans Emerson. On Dec. 31, 1960, he married Norma "Gene" Whittley, daughter of the late Jesse and Violet Kirby Whittley of Sikeston.

Jimmie was known and respected by many of his fellow CB radio friends as Double "D" or Dad. Jimmie was a former deacon of Morley Baptist Church and longtime member of Red Star Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

He worked on the family farm 27 years and later was an over-the-road truck driver for several companies. Those included Beelman Trucking Co., Howard Baer Trucking Co., Kenneth Storey and the latest Mid-States Carriers.

Jimmie was initiated into DeMolay Chapter of Sikeston in March 1955. He was a member of Scott County Sheriff's possee, and was made an honorary deputy sheriff of Scott County. He was very loyal, active, and dedicated to his church.

Survivors include his wife, Gene Emerson of the home in Sikeston; three sons, Tim Emerson and Michael Emerson of the home, Ricky Emerson of Morley; his mother, Ava Emerson of Morley; a sister, Reda Ann Frohock of St. Louis; four grandchildren, Melody Dawn, Brandi Jo, Layton Joseph of Oran, Mo., and Tyler Dale Emerson of Morley. Numerous other family and friends also survive.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jim Mac Emerson, and a son, Randy Jo Emerson of Jackson on April 28, 2000.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Benton, Mo., across from Scott County Courthouse on Highway 61. Visitation will also be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Red Star Baptist Church, 1301 N. Main, Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at the church. The Rev. Jim Matthews will officiate. Private burial will be later at Forest Hills Cemetery in Morley.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Red Star Baptist Church, 1301 N. Main, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.