Billy Joe Emerson

Billy Joe (B.J.) Emerson, 81, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Born in Winona, Mississippi, to William Thomas and Ila Harriett Tyler Emerson, Billy Joe moved with his family to Jonesboro in 1931 and lived all of his life here. He was the present owner and operator of Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro which his father founded in 1932. Along with the funeral home, Billy Joe was the long-time operator of Emerson Ambulance Service which is the oldest continued owned ambulance service in Arkansas.

Billy Joe was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and past Mission Director. During his tenure as Mission Director, Magnolia Road Baptist Church and Caraway Road Baptist Church were planted. B.J. was a member of the Jonesboro Lions Club, the Northeast Arkansas Funeral Directors Club, the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. He was in the first Emergency Medical Technician certification classes in Arkansas and was issued EMT number 251 which is still current.

B.J. served as Craighead County Civil Defense Director from 1959-1970. He served as Craighead County Coroner from 1960-1980. B.J. was a U.S. Navy veteran where he served in the medical corps. He was twice named an Honorary Arkansas State Police Colonel by Col. Tommy Goodwin and Col. Tom Mars. He was the 1973 recipient of the Jonesboro Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds and the 1997 recipient of the University Rotary Club’s Vocational Excellence Award. In addition to his parents, B.J. was preceded in death by his brother Tom Tyler Emerson.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Ann Lewis Emerson of the home, 2 sons and daughters-in-law: Dr. Steve and Melinda Emerson and Toby L. and Lisa Emerson, all of Jonesboro; 4 grandchildren and their spouses: Brandon and Amanda Emerson, Bryan and Renee Emerson, Blake Emerson, and Amanda and Zach Fahlberg; and 1 great grandson, Elijah Emerson.

A memorial service will be held Thursday morning at 11:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bruce Tippit, Emil Williams and Kathy Holler officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers include Fletcher Washington, the Sisters of Holy Angels Convent, Deacons of First Baptist Church and NEA Funeral Directors Association.

Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, 5-8, at Emerson Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to First Baptist Church Care Center or the Jonesboro Church Health Center.