He grew up in Ava, and lived in Seymour Charles R. Embrey, son of James Richard and Ada Jewell (Cox) Embrey, was born Dec. 18, 1932, in the Dogwood community of Douglas County, Mo. He departed this life Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in his home in Seymour, Mo., at the age of 75 years, 9 months, and 26 days.
On May 17, 1954 he was united in marriage to Donna F. Cornelius and to this union two sons and one daughter were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Scotty Wayne Embrey; and two brothers-in-law, Jack Griechen and Herbert Cornelius.
Charles is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Donna, of the home; a son, Eugene Embrey and his wife Kathy, of Seymour, Mo.; a daughter, DeAnn Gunter and her husband Tom, of Ava, Mo.; a daughter-in-law, Karen Embrey, of Seymour, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Josh Embrey and Chad Embrey and his fiancee Larissa Clements, all of Seymour, Mo., Lesley Potter and her husband Lynel, and Lori Gunter, all of Ava, Mo., Misty Embrey and Zackary Embrey, both of Seymour, Mo., and Tonya Gunter and Jalisa Gunter, both of Lansing, Kan.; four great-grandchildren, Maggey Potter, Grady Potter, Tommy Gunter, and Danta Diaz; two brothers, Kenneth Embrey and his wife Lucy, of Rogersville, Mo., and Clyde Embrey and his wife, Betty, of Springfield, Mo.; a sister, Maudena Griechen, of Seymour, Mo.; two brothers-in-law, Howard Cornelius and his wife, Mary Lou, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Leslie Cornelius, Jr., of Seymour, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Lois Goss and her husband, Herbert, of Fort Worth, Texas and Lil Norris and her husband, Joel, of Seymour, Mo.; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many dear friends.
He grew up in Ava, Mo., and moved with his family to Seymour, Mo., in l948, where he began working in the Vollenweider Orchards. Following his marriage to Donna, they made their home at the orchard and lovingly raised their family. Charles became foreman of the orchards, staying on after they were sold to Head’s and then to Murphy’s, retiring in 2003 after working for over 52 years.
He also raised Hereford cattle on his farm following his retirement.
Charles had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized along with his son, Scotty, in January 2008.
He was a member of the Seymour Merchants Association, an honorary member of the Seymour Alumni Association, was past chairman of the Seymour Apple Festival and was the original “True King” of the apple peeling contest. He and Donna received the “Good Citizenship Award” in 2000 and together they delivered “Meals on Wheels” for several years.
Charles was a wonderful family man who was devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was a true friend and a caring neighbor. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will treasure the wonderful memories he has created for his family and many friends.
Services were at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, in Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Seymour, with the Revs. Mark Terrill and Chris Simmons officiating. Burial was in Seymour Masonic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Seymour Nazarene Church Building Fund or Community Hospices of America in care of the funeral home @ P.O. Box 366, Seymour, Missouri 65746.
