Kay's Life Story

"Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant"

Bobbie Kay was born February 20 th , 1951 in Tyler, Texas to the parentage of the late Willie Crawford, Jr. and
Winnie Dorsey-Crawford. She was affectionately known as "Kay" by many.

Kay received her education in the Tyler Independent School District. She attended John Tyler High School and
later transferred her senior year to Emmitt Scott High School graduating with the class of 1969. She also
attended Tyler Junior College.
At an early age, Kay accepted Christ into her life and united with Hopewell Valley Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas
under Pastor W.D. Ward. As a youth she was involved with Hopewell Valley's choir and ushers.
As a young adult Kay was employed with Tyler Pipe until a swift courtship swept her off her feet. On
November 24, 1977, Thanksgiving Day she married Elder Ray C. Emanuel, and recently celebrated 45 years of
marriage. In their early years of marriage, they moved according to church appoints with the Tenth District of
the African Methodist Church. From Port Arthur, TX to La Marque, TX, to Georgetown, TX. to El Paso,TX, to
Marshall, TX, Terrell, TX, Athens, TX, Tyler, TX and finally to Palestine where they finally settled and setup
roots. As a pastor's wife she served as first lady at various churches. Kay Emanuel always had a servant's heart
serving in many compacities and auxiliaries. From Missionary society, singing in choir, ushering, and helping
with the Young People's Department (YPD) where she was always a willing soul. In 2004, Pilgrim Rest
Community Church in Oakwood, TX was reestablished, and Kay worked faithfully and assisted anywhere she
was needed.
Kay loved serving her community along the side of her husband at their family business Emanuel Funeral
Homes established in 1981, servicing surrounding communities of Palestine, Teague, Crockett, Trinity, and
newly added Corsicana. Kay Emanuel was the heartbeat of Emanuel Funeral Homes. Whether managing day
to day operations, administrational duties, assisting families, dressing cosmetizing those deceased, handling
Insurance and Preneeds, communicating with vendors, maintaining automobile fleet, she did it all with a
humble servant's heart. In her spare time Kay loved to travel when time permitted, she enjoyed word puzzles
to relax her mind, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren.
Kay is preceded in death by her father, Willie Crawford, Jr., her brothers: Jimmy Ray Crawford, Robert
Crawford, and James Crawford, maternal grandparents: Floyd & Fannie Mae Dorsey, and paternal
grandparents: Catherine & Ethel Crawford.
Kay leaves to cherish her memories; her husband of 45 years, Elder R. C. Emanuel of Palestine, her loving
mother, Winnie Crawford of Tyler, TX., Sons: Nikki Warren of Orlando, FL, and Nichael (Tracy) Emanuel of
Spring, TX.; 3 daughters: Artimus (Catrina) Butler, Almika (Chuck) Pryor both of Houston, TX and CeCelia
(Nehemiah) Douglas, TX. 11 grandchildren: Sircorra, Kateria, Alexis, Khadija, Niketra, Niyah, Nygzel, Nason,
Cenia, and Elijah and 8 Great-Grandchildren; her siblings: Clement Crawford, Cathy Hooper, Victor Crawford,
and Roberta (Al) Pace all of Tyler, TX.; her In-Laws: Anne Louise Williams, Laconie Emanuel, Ronald Emanuel,

Goree Emanuel, Benjamin (Sandra) Emanuel, Johnny Ray Emanuel all of Houston,TX; Presiding Elder Lawrence
(Gloria) Emanuel, Beverly Johnson, and Dorothy Emanuel of Waco, TX; Urita (Bobby Dale) Johnson of
Oakwood, TX and Ruby Small of Dallas, TX., Godsons: Michael McElroy, Quentin Adams, and Chris Jones, Sam
Milton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.