Ray Emerson

Ray Emerson, age 85 of Tuscaloosa passed away May 2, 2024, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Ridgecrest Baptist Church at 11:00 am with Magnolia Chapel South directing. Burial will follow at Gilgal Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.  

He is preceded in death by his wife Virginia, parents; Willie L. and Manie G. Emerson, and his siblings; Gene, Ed, Howard, Shirley Fay, and Alla Fay Emerson.            

He is survived by his children Anthony Emerson (Sherri) of Duncanville, Tammy Hoggle (Robert)  of Moundville, and Tonya Beasley (Evan) of Athens, brother; Bobby Emerson (Juanita) of Hamilton, his grandchildren; Morgan Hoggle (Meagan), Craig Hoggle (Shelbie), Kristen Beasley, Carson Emerson, and Luke Beasley, great- grandchildren; William, Jane, and James Hoggle, sisters-in-law; Janice Ray (Roland),  Nelda Bobo, Jewel Emerson and Jane Emerson and several nieces and nephews.                           

 Ray was born in August of 1938 in Vina, Alabama and later moved with his family to Hamilton. He met and married his wife Virginia in 1959 and lived in Hamilton and Clayton before settling in Tuscaloosa and raising their three children. Ray worked many years for the Alabama Highway Department before retiring and also retiring from the. Alabama National Guard. He was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church and a Deacon with a servant's heart for many years. Ray loved to play dominos, talk about the many road projects he worked on, and spend time with his family. He was a fan of the Crimson Tide and the Atlanta Braves and watched them every chance he had. He adored his grandchildren and more recently his great- grandchildren! Known to be a kind and gentle man with a great sense of humor, he will be dearly missed by many, especially his family. 

Pallbearers will be his grandsons Morgan, Craig, Carson, and Luke along with Talbert Essary and Chuck Pittman. Honorary pallbearers are Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Dr. Phil Hemstreet, Dr. Kevin Katona, Doctors, nurses and staff of the TSICU and 7th North, the Tuesday morning domino men of RBC, Buddy Moore, Lori Pittman, Charlotte Robertson, Phillip Warren and Robert and Diane Maddox, and Eddie and Sarah Lary.       

 In lieu of flowers the family request donations to Ridgecrest Baptist Church Missions or Maintenance funds.