Patsy Emery

Patricia Marie “Patsy” Emery, 75, of Union City passed away peacefully at her home Saturday, July 8, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral services were conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home. Brother Melvin Poe officiated. Entombment followed in Obion County Memorial Gardens.
Visitation was held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the hour of services Tuesday.
Pallbearers were Pete Parker, Billy Craddock, David Blurton, Blake Cheatham, Coleman Cheatham, David Hayes, Damon Campbell, Allen Rogers and Frankie Cheatham.
Honorary pallbearers were Carolyn Cheatham, Donna Kail, Paula Webb, Betty Jo Davis, Sherry Henry, Sherry Davis, Cheryl Reddin, Kathy Patterson, Tena Thompson, Karen Trout, James Mitchell, Pam Daniel and her loving caregiver Whitney Grissom.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hometown Walk of Hope, 902 Perkins St., Union City, TN 38261.
Patsy was born Jan. 11, 1948, in Union City, daughter of the late Woodrow Emery and the late Helen (Gipson) Emery.
A 1966 graduate of Union City High School, Patsy was a standout player for the Lady Tornado Basketball Team, an honor in which she was very proud and joyful in discussing. Shortly after graduating, her dad began teaching her the skills she needed to become a court transcriptionist. During her tenure as court reporter, Patsy served in courtrooms across the entire nation. Dressed professionally with her hair perfectly coiffed, Patsy was a familiar face with a radiant smile in the Obion County Courthouse. Patsy retired after more than 50 years of serving as a court reporter. The typewriter on which Patsy became an expert typist is currently displayed at the courthouse in the Register of Deeds office.
In addition to having a successful career, Patsy was an accomplished musician who took great pride in her baby grand piano. She played the keyboard in several local churches, including Calvary Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church and Bethpage Baptist Church. Patsy also played the guitar with friends for recreation. Her love for music extended beyond her ability to play because hearing music motivated her to dance. When she could no longer use her feet to tango, she used her hands to keep the beat. Music was very important to her, and in her last few days when she was incapable of caring for even her most basic needs, Patsy raised her arms and hands and began playing a tune in the air in response to hearing a recording of her playing her beloved song, The Lighthouse.
Patsy’s home was the gathering place every Friday night, where she visited and kidded with her friends during dominoes and bingo. One of her favorite jokes involved her love for big juicy oranges, especially the ones from Texas. Her driveway, yard and street were filled each week with the vehicles of her friends, but her heart was filled each week with the happiness and loved they shared.
Accepting Christ as her Savior at an early age, Patsy currently was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Union City. Battling a cruel disease, her faith never wavered, and she never doubted that Heaven would be her eternal home.
Patsy in survived by her son, Jay Cooley, and wife, Rhonda, of Mason Hall; her daughter, Amanda Cooley Smith of Milan; four grandchildren, Drew Cooley and Ashley Kate Cooley, both of Mason Hall, Mary Helen Driver of West Memphis, Ark., and Elizabeth Hargis and husband, Kevin, of Dover; her sister, Linda Coker of Union City; and her dear friend and caregiver, Diane Cheatham of Union City.
She was also preceded in death by her brother, Woody Emery.
To leave messages of condolence for the family, visit the funeral home website at www.emfuneralhome.com.

The Messenger/7.12.23