Karen Emerson, of Taylor, Arkansas, passed away Monday, June 8, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Karen Kay Bryan Emerson, born January 9, 1953, in Hodge, Louisiana to Dutch and Helen Bryan. She was a 1971 Graduate of Jonesboro Hodge High School and attend Louisiana Tech University. She began her career at the Hodge Paper mill where she worked until her retirement in 2010. After retirement, she and her husband Bobby moved to their farm in Taylor, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dutch and Helen Bryan; her brothers, JW (Bubba) Bryan, Don Bryan, Rodger Bryan; her sisters, Elaine (Sister) Wheat & Linda Ann Butler.
Karen is survived by her husband of 23 years, Bobby Emerson, of Taylor, Arkansas; her daughter and son-In-law Kori and Joey Pardue, Bart Emerson (Mindy), and Suzanne (James) Reynolds; grandchildren, Katherine Pardue, Beau Emerson, Alexx Ivey (Phillip Gahr), Mason Maloch (Kaitlyn), Kelsey Passaflume (Nick); great-grandchildren, Mattie and Miles Maloch, Caleb, Connor & Olivia Passaflume. Her sisters, Rosemary (Charles) Spangler, Krista Bryan; brothers, Ronnie Bryan (Betty), Joey Bryan (Cherise) and Jeffrey Bryan (Cindy). As well as many special nieces and nephews, and life-long friends.
Visitation will be at Jonesboro-Hodge Methodist Church, Thursday, June 11 from 5-7 pm and Friday, June 12 from 10-11 am, with service to follow at 11am. Interment will follow in Siloam Springs Community Church Cemetery in Wyatt, Louisiana under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Tharwat Ghattas, of Ghattas Oncology and Charlotte Odom of Ascend Hospice for the exceptional care and compassion they provided Karen during her illness. We are deeply grateful for their kindness and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Methodist Children’s Home or American Cancer Society.
