Francis Albert Embrey, 89, of Hickory, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, at Anderson's Regional Medical Center in Meridian.
Visitation was held on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, from 5-8 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Chunky, Miss. Funeral Services was held Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with a one-hour visitation prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Bro. Eric Embrey and Bro. Phil Smith will officiate. Facial masks are REQUIRED for the visitation and the funeral service. Newton County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (601) 635-3200
Mr. Albert was born in the Piney Woods near Chunky, Miss., on March 31, 1931, weighing 14 ½ pounds! His mother (a 4’10” lady) put size 2 months clothes on him! His dad was a big man (6’3”). Albert grew up on the farmlands and began plowing a mule when he was only 5 years old. He plowed and planted many acres, helping his dad with sharecropping until his late teens. He began working in Meridian, and, in 1952, he moved to Belleville, Illinois, where he worked for eight and a half years. There he met the mother of his children, June Klotz, and they were married in 1953. In 1957, he moved back to Chunky because he was so tired of shoveling snow every day! He worked many years in road construction and operating heavy equipment. He retired from the city of Meridian in 1993. He was known as “Happy Jack” and “Red Fox” by most, many not knowing his real name! He was blessed with three children, Ricky, Cindy and Linda. In Oct. 1993, after 40 years of marriage, June passed away. Albert met Barbara Toomey in 1995, and they were married on March 9, 1996. He joined her in her fellowship tours business and travelled to 47 states, including Hawaii. They also enjoyed travelling to places such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica.
Everyone loved him, and he entertained them with many funny stories. His hobbies were raising pigs, cattle, goats, chicken and beagles. He was an excellent mechanic. He said he couldn’t sing, but he sang while plowing and the mule, “Ole Annie”, listened to every note!
He was preceded in death by his first wife, June Klotz; parents, Albert and Nora Gressett Embrey; daughter, Cindy Litchfield; sisters, Cladie Mae Embrey, Mary Cooley (Gene), Geralene Pugh, Grace Griffin and Nora Jean Majure (Tommy); son-in-law, Paul Lundy; nephews, Rev. Clay Cooley and Kelly Flynt; brother-in-law, Fred Harwell.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Platt Embrey; son, Ricky Embrey; daughters, Linda Embrey Lundy and Debbie Morgan (Daniel); son, Danny Toomey; grandchildren, Mitchell Litchfield, Daniel Lundy (Lori), Amanda Lockhart (Ben), Melinda Horne (Brooks), Dustin Wood, Danielle Smith (Derrick) and Casey Henslee (Jessi); great-grandchildren, Allie Lundy, McKenzie Lundy, Kaitlyn Lundy, June Lockhart, Lucy Lockhart, Eliza Horne, Abigail Horne, Alex Horne, Jack Smith, Aubree Henslee and Xander Henslee; sister, Merle Harwell; brother, J.V. Embrey (Nonie).
Pallbearers were Sam Gressett, Dustin Wood, Johnnie Embrey, Larry Gressett, Paul David Pugh and Mark Majure.
Honorary pallbearers were Mitchell Litchfield, Brooks Horne, Danny Toomey and Casey Henslee.
Paid Obituary
