Ray Emerson

MORLEY, Mo. -- Ray Gene Emerson, 67, of Morley died at 3:34 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2009, at his residence of an apparent heart attack.

He was born Dec. 3, 1941, at Oran, Mo., to the late James Raymond and Frances Mae Stone Emerson.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 until 1961, and was a member of the American Legion Post No. 369 at Benton, Mo. He worked for the Cotton Belt railroad for 34 years as a brakeman, conductor and engineer, and was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Local Union. He was also of the Methodist faith.

On April 16, 1959, he was married to Betty L. Griffin at Vanduser, Mo. She survives of the home in Morley. He is also survived by one son, Jeff Emerson of Alexandria, Ind.; a daughter, Ginger MacDonald of Tulsa, Okla.; a brother, Kenneth Emerson of Advance, Mo.; two sisters, Debbie Skaggs of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Becky Rodgers of Morley; seven grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by one brother and four sisters.

Service will be at 10:30 a.m. today in the Nunnelee Chapel, with Rev. Jim Matthews, pastor of the Cape County Cowboy Church officiating.

Burial will follow in the New Morley Cemetery at Morley. Pallbearers will be Jerry May, Gene King, Denny Alcorn, Mark Freed, Jeremy Hill and Chad Griffin.