Thelma “Jolene’” Emerson was born on June 2, 1930 in Hess, Okla. to Joe Andrew Kirby and Esther Mae (Harmon) Kirby-Richardson and passed from this life on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Colbert, Okla. at the age of 90 years, 4 months and 29 days.
She married the love of her life, Jerry Conrad Emerson on Sept. 7, 1946, in Sherman, Texas, and was blessed with 68 years together. Jolene worked as a beautician and owned her own shop in both Caddo and Durant. Jolene loved doing her arts and crafts and dearly loved her family and friends.
Jolene is preceded in death by her parents, Joe Kirby and Esther Mae (Harmon) Kirby- Richardson; her husband, Jerry Conrad Emerson; infant son, Terry Joe Emerson; infant daughter Mary Ann Emerson; brothers, Leroy Kirby, Jimmy Kirby, Billy Kirby; sister, Donella Hatfield, Grandson Keith Hendrix and son-in-law Charles Sprowl.
She is survived by her daughter, Marsha Sprowl of Howe, Texas; son, Bruce Emerson and wife Darla of Durant, Okla.; daughter, Pam Rummell and husband Robert of Durant, Okla.; brother, Donald Yates of Van Alystne, Texas; sister, Margie Padgett of Durant, Okla.; Helen Veno of Chandler, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter due in January.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, at 2 p.m. at Highland cemetery. Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service of Durant.