On Sunday morning, Feb. 22, 2015, Pearl Marie Bonds Embry, beloved wife of Thomas Edwin (Bill) Embry and mother of Ray Embry (Sue), and Faye Ross (Mack), peacefully passed away surrounded by family. Mrs. Embry was 88 years young.

Mrs. Embry was preceded in death by her husband Bill Embry, her parents Alex Hamilton Bonds, Sr. and Pearl Aldridge Bonds, and daughter Joyce Lavern Embry. Mrs. Embry was the tenth born out of 12 children and was preceded in death by brothers: William Covington Bonds, Alex Hamilton Bonds, Jr., Ralph Bonds, Martin Luther Bonds and Gerald Dayton Bonds and sisters: Rosalie Bonds Zumbro, Ethel Bonds Price, Susie Mae Bonds Brown and Edith Rae Bonds Goodson.

In addition Mrs. Embry is survived by her sisters Margarette “Tiny” Elizabeth Bonds Temple and Grace Helen Bonds Halford. She was known as “Mammaw” to her cherished grandchildren Gregory Mack Ross (Amy), David Marshall Ross (Anna) and Rachel Marie Ross, and great grandchildren, Carter and Coleman Ross. Mrs. Embry was also blessed with the love of numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Embry’s greatest loves were her family and her church. As a member of Highland Baptist Church since the early 1960’s, Mrs. Embry was known in her Bethany Sunday School Class as the Sunshine Chairman. She looked forward to sending out joyful cards and messages to all her fellow classmates.

Spreading faith and joy was what Mrs. Embry did best. She spent 21½ years in the Sears Catalog Department where she touched coworkers and customers alike with her faith. Known for her beautiful needlework, many friends and family were gifted with her heirloom work over the years. She also loved gardening and sharing recipes.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Riles Funeral Home with Reverend Brian Ivey, Pastor of Highland Baptist Church, officiating, assisted by Mrs. Embry’s nephew, Pastor Thomas Bonds. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Wednesday until the hour of the service. Burial will be in Green Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews and friends. Memorials may be made to the Highland Baptist Church Building Fund.