George E. Emerson

George Elgin Emerson, 59, of Marietta died Saturday, September 13, 2014. Visitation and Remembrance will take place 5-7pm on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at the Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home located at 180 Church Street, Marietta. If you would like, please bring your favorite photos of George to display. George is survived by his wife, Rhonda Beth Emerson; mother, Reba Emerson Patterson; two daughters (with former spouse Deborah Emerson), Michelle (Jason) Emerson Lewis and Karen (Max) Speyer; step-daughter, Mandi Rodriguez; four grandchildren, Maleena Rodriguez, Ethan Patton, Kendall Speyer, and Karson Speyer; three brothers, Jerome (Edith) Emerson, David (Jill) Emerson, and Daniel Emerson (Bonnie); and two sisters, Doshie (Clayton) Richardson and Azaline (Gene) Harkins. George was born at home on August 24, 1955 to loving parents, Reba and James Emerson, in North Carolina and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Grady High School in Atlanta in 1972. He attended Kennesaw State College, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1986. He owned and operated his own business, Emerson Office Equipment. George was the kind of man that you wanted to be around. He was funny, kind, and ready with a joke and a laugh. Sincerely caring, you knew he was listening to every word you spoke; and his advice, if he gave any advice, was given with your best interests in mind. Truly a man among men, he was loved and respected by many for his wit and charm, his honesty and forthrightness, and his sense of fairness. More importantly, George was greatly loved and respected by his family for his caring, nurturing, and gentle qualities; for which he was often humbled and uplifted by their amazing love and support. Although they passed away many years ago, George never stopped mourning the loss of his father, James, or his brothers, Donald and Lewis. He shared many stories of his youth, and from those stories, I believe George emulated the best qualities of each of them. From his father, he learned quiet authority and humility; from Lewis he learned strength of character and self-reliance; and from Donald, he learned compassion and empathy. He then taught these lessons to his children. Steadfast in his commitments, there were many who called George “friend.” Only a few, however, could call him “brother.” George’s sudden departure from us has left a gaping void. However, this quote expresses our belief that he will always be with us: "In one sense there is no death. The life of a soul on earth lasts beyond departure. You will always feel that life touching yours, that voice speaking to you. He lives on in your life and in the lives of all others that knew him." - Angelo Patri In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The FH Foundation http://thefhfoundation.org/donate/ www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511

George E. Emerson

August 24, 1955 - September 13, 2014