Emma Marie Withers, of Dixon, was born on January 2, 1927, near Dixon, a daughter of Newton and Gertrude (Tackett) Ramsey, and departed this life at 3:15 p.m., on Sunday, January 31, 2016, in Lenoir Care Center in Columbia, Mo. Emma had been in failing health for some time and had attained the age of 89 years, and 29 days.

She was united in marriage on December 24, 1946, at Newburg, to Howard Junior Withers, and to this union, one daughter was born. She was preceded in death by her husband, Junior, on April 12, 2002; her father, Newt, on March 21, 1976; her mother, Gertie, on February 11, 1985; her two sisters, Josephine Curtman and husband, Floyd, and Ada Roberson and husband, Jeff; her one brother, Timothy Ramsey and wife, Neva; and four brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law, Louise and Jack Lee; Bill and June Withers; Maxine and Don Helton; and Betty and Bennett Bullock.
Emma was born and grew up on the Ramsey Family Farm along the Gasconade River in rural Dixon. She walked or rode horseback behind her brother to attend local country schools. Her education continued at Dixon High School and later at Southwest Missouri State College, Springfield, where she earned a teaching certificate. She taught at various country schools for several years before she became a fulltime housewife, mother, and bookkeeper for her husband's business, Withers' Service Station and Auto Parts Store. Later in life, she was a substitute teacher a few days each week in the elementary and middle schools of the Dixon R-1 school system. She lived in the same house for nearly 65 years overlooking the City Park and loved the opportunity it gave her to see folks walking and enjoying the park. Her hobbies were centered around her home and family. She enjoyed her yard, garden, and neighbors. Emma also loved traveling to horseshows throughout Missouri and in neighboring states with her family to support them. Later in years, her granddaughter, Amanda, became the primary center of her focus, and they enjoyed a special lifelong bond together.
She was baptized as a teenager at the First Baptist Church in Dixon where she attended faithfully for most of her life. Later in life, she attended Santee Community Church and the Word of Life Fellowship, both of Dixon. Her daily motto was "Only ask God for enough Grace to get through the day – no more or no less", and with that motto, God carried her through the final eight years of a hard fought private battle with colon cancer, where her faith never once wavered. She remained strong, determined, and independent to the end.
Those left to mourn the passing of Emma include: Her daughter and son-in-law, Debby and Glenn Myers, Rockwall, Texas; her granddaughter, Amanda Myers of Denton, Texas; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Tommy Withers and wife, Thelma, and Dorothy "Dot" Withers, all of Dixon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment was in the Dixon Cemetery next to her beloved husband of fifty-five years under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers for Emma were Justin Matlock, Scott McCray, Toby Withers, Chase Brotherton, Shawn Sisco, and Jeffrey Roberson. Honorary pallbearers were Leroy Roberson, Gabe Ramsey, Roy Ramsey, Forrest Honse, Dwight Smith, Bob Hathaway, Tommy Withers, Steve Adams, Danny Miller, Kenny Deardeuff, and Jerry Milligan.
Memorials contributions are suggested to the Word of Life Fellowship Church c/o Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, MO 65459