Kay Emery

Kay Harper Emery, age 83 years, a resident of Carterville, Illinois and a native of Johnson County, passed away Monday afternoon, December 25, 2023, at 4:01 P.M. at SIH – Herrin Hospital. At the time of her passing, Kay was surrounded by members of her loving family. Kay, known to those closest to her as “Mimi,” was born September 20, 1940 at the family home near Tunnel Hill. She was the daughter of Loree Harper and Betty L. (Jobe) Harper. On December 8, 1982, Kay was united in marriage to David Emery in Champaign, Illinois. He preceded her in death. Kay is survived by: a son – Mark Trexler; 3 grandchildren – Misty (J.P.) Mowrer, Lorie Trexler, and Jonathan Trexler; 4 great grandchildren – Owen, Lilah, Lexi & Jack; a sister – Nancy (John) Andolsek; a niece – Shawn (Bryan) Johns; great nieces and a great nephew – Hannah, Allison & Tyler; cousins, including dear cousins, Danny Allbritten and Ann Weinstein; as well as other relatives and many friends. Kay was a graduate of Alto Pass High School and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She was first employed as a secretary by Martin Oil Company. Later, Kay accepted a secretarial position with the Illinois Central Railroad and worked in the Carbondale and Champaign offices. Following her retirement from the railroad, Kay worked through a temporary agency and was employed in Champaign and Chicago. Kay is remembered for her love of books and reading. Her true love language, however, was the joy she found in cooking and sharing her homemade creations with others. Kay was also a devoted University of Kentucky Wildcats and Golden State Warriors fan. She attended Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Carterville. A celebration of Kay’s life will be conducted in Spring 2024 at Cannon Memorial Park in Carterville. The date and time will be announced when that information is available. Inurnment will be in the Reynoldsburg Cemetery, near Tunnel Hill. Memorials may be made to the Reynoldsburg Cemetery, c/o Bob Harper, 30 Harpertown Lane, Tunnel Hill, IL 62972 or to Gum Drop Kids, 1005 Briarwood Road, Carterville, IL 62918 To share a memory of Kay or to leave an online message of condolence for her family, please visit www.baileyfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Kay Emery

September 20, 1940 - December 25, 2023