Otis Emerson

December 23rd, 1935 - April 9th, 2019 Mr. Otis Arland Emerson age 83 of Trenton, Tennessee, passed away from this life on Tuesday, April 9th, 2019, at Jackson Madison County Hospital. Funeral services for Mr. Emerson will be conducted on Thursday, April 11th, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Karnes and Son Funeral Home in Rutherford, with Bro. Zack McCain officiating. Interment will follow in Rutherford Cemetery. Mr. Emerson was born December 23rd, 1935 in Magazine, Arkansas; the son of Odes and Lela Laineer Emerson. He and his parents moved to Tennessee when Arland was 4 years old. He attended 12 years of school and graduated in 1953 at Rutherford. Later he attended Newbern Vocational School. Arland and Mary Francis Gilliland married November 5, 1955 in Cornith, MS. Both Arland and Frances worked at Kellwood, before moving to Gary, Indiana. Arland worked at the Ford Motor Company there. While living there, their first child, Judith Elaine was born. Later, after moving back to Tennessee their two other children, Jeffery Guy and Janice Leigh were born. Arland worked at several jobs; Bell Fruit Co., McCartney Produce Co., and Gibson Co. Road Supervisor before going into the amusement machine business with his father and helping him on the farm. He served his country with the United States National Guard. He was a member of the Rutherford First Baptist Church since the age of 13, Trenton Eastern Star, Masonic Lodge, Gibson Co. Elks, and Charter member of Rutherford Jaycee's. Arland and Frances moved to Trenton in 1989. Due to ill health he retired at this time, but continued to do some work on the farm. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Mary Frances Emerson; two daughters, Judith Horner, Janice Grooms; son Jeffery Emerson and wife Robbie; four grandchildren, Kevin Horner, Dustin Emerson, Courtney Grooms, Caleb Grooms; and five great grandchildren, Cooper Emerson, Annalie Emerson, Megan Horner, Regan Horner, and Morgan Horner. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sherry Lee Emerson; and brother, Robert Gene Emerson, The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 in the chapel of Karnes and Son Funeral Home in Rutherford. Karnes & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Otis Arland Emerson.