OXFORD--Emma Leigh Stallings, 94, began her eternal life on July 23, 2018. She was the second of three girls born to the late Walter Edward and Emma Duke Strange on December 19, 1923 in Franklin County, NC.

Emma is survived by her three sons, Howard Jr and his wife, Kay of North Myrtle Beach; Eddie and his wife, Gay of Oxford; and Kip and his wife, Lounell of Oxford; four grandsons: Chip and wife, Haven; Walter and wife, Chris; Lance and wife, Anna; and Brian Stallings; two granddaughters: Shannon Carmack and husband, Keith; and Natalie Sweeley and husband, Josh; great-grandsons: Cody, Cole and Gavin Carmack, Hogan and Noah Stallings; and great-granddaughters: Kenna Stalling, Emma Kate and Laura Sweeley.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Eugene Howard Stallings, and daughter-in- law, Debbie Stallings.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to her wonderful caregivers, Linda Morris and Audrey Dial, for their years of devoted service.

After receiving a degree from East Carolina University, she made a career as an educator in Franklin and Granville counties and was later inducted into the East Carolina University Educators Hall of Fame. Emma was a faithful member and Sunday School teacher at Oxford Baptist Church for many years.

The family will receive visitors at her home on Pine Cone Drive. A private graveside service will take place at Meadowview Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the following: Oxford Baptist Church Ministry, P.O. Box 398, Oxford, NC 27565; or to the Oxford Lions Club, P.O. Box 303, Oxford, NC 27565; or to Duke HomeCare & Hospice, Office of Development, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704

The Stallings family is being proudly served by Gentry-Newell & Vaughan Funeral Home, 503 College St., Oxford, NC, 27565.

Paid Obituary