Emma R. Cantrell

Emma Robbins Cantrell, 97 of Lindsay was born on May 7, 1919 in Purdy, Oklahoma to James Robbins and Nancy (Wood) Robbins. She passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017 in Lindsay. Emma was a lifetime resident of the Purdy/Hughes/Lindsay area graduating from Hughes High School in 1937. She worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” during war time. She married Vern Cantrell on December 17, 1938 and after 57 years of marriage he preceded her in death in 1995. Emma and Vern owned and operated Saveway, a grocery store in Lindsay and she was a fantastic seamstress who made everything from wedding dresses to basic items for their children, Martha and Bob. She enjoyed taking trips with six of her sisters every summer, playing domino, and SkipBo. Emma loved her church family at the Missionary Baptist Church in Lindsay where she had been a longtime member, serving as church clerk, song leader, bible school director and Sunday school teacher. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Her survivors include her daughter, Martha Johnston and husband Everett of Lindsay and a son, Bob Cantrell and wife Charlene of Blanchard. Six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Emma was preceded in death by her husband Vern Cantrell; brothers, Will, Tom, John, and Ira Robbins; sisters, Jannie Bridwell, Lottie Pauly, Cora Bell, Bea Davis, Gladys Bolin, Cleo Allen, and Minnie Robbins. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Missionary Baptist Church, Lindsay with Dennis Clark officiating. Burial will be in the Purdy Cemetery under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home, Maysville, OK. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.winansfuneralhome.com