Mary Alice Emerson
Ava, MO

Mary Alice Emerson, 91 years, 2 months, and 8 days old, passed peacefully to heaven on December 12, 2010, at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, Missouri with her daughter by her side, having been companioned all day by children, grandchildren, and friends.

Mary Alice was born October 4, 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri to William and Marie (Moore) Launder.

On July 6, 1940 Mary Alice and Dwight Marvin Emerson were united in marriage in Kansas City, Missouri and to this union four children were born.

In 1950 Mary Alice and her husband, Dwight, co-founded Crystal Lake Fisheries, a family trout farm east of Ava. Their four children continue to operate the family business, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. In her early years Mary Alice taught preschool in Texas, and public school here in the Ozarks at Cold Spring, Brushyknob, Plainview, and Ava.

Mary Alice loved her church family at the Ava United Methodist Church, regularly attending for many years with numerous close and dear friends. Annual visits to several Ava churches with her Eastern Star sisters helped all share their love for God. She was also a lifetime student of Christian Science and a member of the church in Springfield, Missouri. In her teens her expertise and passion for swimming got her into synchronized swimming shows, and led to many years of Red Cross swimming instruction which included WWII soldiers. For over 50 years she enjoyed active membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, Ava Chapter #47. Other groups included United States Trout Farmers Assoc., University of Missouri Extension Council, Hunter and Star Extension Clubs, Missouri Aquaculture Assoc., Ava Art Group, Ava Study Club, Ava Writers Group, Missouri Retired Teachers Association, and she loved hosting music concerts at her house for the local Performing Arts Guild. Mary Alice was devoted to her community and volunteered extensively in such activities as Glade Top Trail (25 or more years), Ava Area Chamber of Commerce for many years, Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Assoc., and many local activities. At the 2007 Ava Sesquicentennial she led the parade as one of the two Grand Marshalls. In 2003 she was honored for her years of service and commitment by receiving the John N. Dickinson award from the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce. Her other services to family, church, and community are too numerous to mention.

Mary Alice was, and continues to be, an inspiration to all who knew her. She was full of joy and her legacy will live on in her family and friends.

Mary Alice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dwight Marvin Emerson, on October 15, 1993, and two brothers, William and Charlie Launder.
Mary Alice is survived by her four children and their spouses: W. Wesley & Joyce Emerson, Kansas City, MO, Nancy & Al Perryman, Rogue River, OR, LTC (Ret.) Marvin E. & Rita Emerson, Springfield, MO, and David & Shirley Emerson, Ava, MO; 11 grandchildren: LTC (Ret.) Jeff & Allison Long, Scott & Michelle Emerson, Jody & Chris Adams, Fred & Sarah Perryman, Annie Perryman, Michelle & Justin Giles, Pam & Josh Prosono, Jennifer & David Boaz, Larissa & Jonathan Wall, Dwight Lee Emerson, and Amelia Emerson; 13 great grandchildren: Katherine, Jackson, Matthew, Grace, Jonathan, Hannah, Paden, Landon, William, Jordan, Jacob, Emily, and due any day baby Alexia Mae, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mary Alice will be Friday, December 17, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO. Officiating will be Family Members, Pastor Marty Blakey, and Pastor Oren Alcorn. The funeral ceremony of the Order of the Eastern Star will be given by Ava Chapter #47. Burial will be in Turkey Creek Cemetery east of Ava, followed by lunch at Ava Lions Club catered by Ruby Garden and Hucklebuck's BBQ. All are invited. Visitation will be Thursday, December 16, 2010, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made payable to Turkey Creek Cemetery, given or mailed to the funeral home or to Barbara Breshears, RR 2 Box 786, Ava, MO 65608.