Mr. Phillip "Phil" McKinley Emerson

Mr. Phillip McKinley Emerson, 70 of Dobson passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Surry County on March 8, 1946 to the late Phillip and Annie Snow Emerson Martin. Mr. Emerson was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and an avid wrestler. He was owner and operator of Emerson Freight Systems. He graduated from Western Carolina University with honors in Mathematics and Physics. He later joined the United States Air Force having served our country during the Vietnam War. He attended diving school in Oakland, California and set a world record for the deepest dive while employed by Systems Oil Wells in Louisiana. He was an avid wrestler and was given the gift of teaching countless others the sport he so loved. With a loving and giving heart, he gave much to many, as a herbalist, it was his desire to help improve the health of others. He will be dearly missed. Survivors include his two loving siblings, Connie Emerson Harris and husband Jerry of Orange, California and Kent Snow Martin of Dobson; his fiancé, Tracy Ann Matthews, also of Dobson; special niece and nephew, Kayla Martin and Justin Martin. In additions to his parents, Mr. Emerson was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Grady and Bert Emerson. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 9, 2016 in the chapel of Moody-Davis Funeral Home by the Rev. Chuck Elmore and the Rev. Eddie Matthews. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Following the service, Military Honors will be will be conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Mount Airy Post 2019, Pilot Mountain Post 9436 and the North Carolina National Guard at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association, 514 Daniels Street #109 Raleigh, NC 27605.
Earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain.

Earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain.