Emma Jean Carey nee Reed

OBITUARY Emma Jean Carey of St. Clair, MO departed this life at her home, surrounded by the love of her family, on October 12, 2022, having reached the age of ninety-two years, nine months and five days. Emma was born on January 7, 1930, daughter of Jesse Monroe Reed and Cornelia Reed nee Pickles. On July 26, 1953 she was united in marriage to Robert Charles Carey and seven children came to bless this union. Emma is survived by five children, Mary Bye of St. Clair, MO, William Carey and wife, Lisa, of Theodosia, MO, Cathy Wright of St. Clair, MO, Patrick Carey and wife, Pong Sai, of St. Clair, MO and Kelly Luxton and husband, Mike, of St. Clair, MO; by fourteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Cornelia Reed; by her husband, Robert Carey; by two children, Michael Carey and Peggy Carey; by her son-in-law, Timothy Bye; by her brothers, Leslie Reed, Clarence Reed and Gene Tunney Reed; by her sisters, Helen Ely and Laura Schleeper; and by her grandson Lenny Wright. Emma was a Christian, believing in the Lord as her Savior and had enjoyed visiting various churches in the area. She made caring for her home and family her job in life and never tired of it. Emma was musically gifted, playing the piano and accordion and singing. As a young person, she played with the band Robbie & His Ramblers at various dance halls in the area and would play and sing at local nursing homes with her friend DeeDee in her later years. She even made a solo record as a young woman entitled “In My Adobe Hacienda”, which was enjoyed by her family for many decades. Emma had a beautician’s license and would cut hair for residents of nursing homes, as well as her family’s hair. Emma volunteered at the Agape Thrift Store and loved working in her garden, working the very same plot of ground her mother did years ago. She loved children, treating any child that crossed her doorstep like they were her own with much love, kindness, and adventure. Emma also loved to travel, having seen a great deal of the lower 48 states with the Farmer’s and Merchant’s bank trips; and Hawaii, Alaska, and Thailand with her family. What meant most to her was time spent with her family. The love they shared and many precious memories they created will be forever cherished by them all. A kind and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great and great-great-aunt, cousin and treasured friend, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO with Rev. Dick Hinson officiating. Interment will be in Midlawn Memorial Gardens in Union, MO. Memorials may be made to the Agape Thrift Store in St. Clair, MO.

Emma Jean Carey nee Reed

January 7, 1930 - October 12, 2022