Henrietta Parker Swain Emack died at age 97 on January 18, 2026. Born November 10, 1928, in Charleston, SC, she moved to Atlanta in 1930 and graduated from North Fulton High School, where she was vice president of Student Body, a cheerleader, and Class Favorite. At Sullins Junior College she was class president. In 1949 she graduated from the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Mortar Board and Psi Chi honoraries and was president of the founding pledge class of Kappa Kappa Gamma. After college, she returned to Atlanta and taught children in Fulton County, GA, and became president of the Cotillion Club. In 1954, she married James Henry Emack and moved to Birmingham, AL, where she taught at Crestline Elementary School. She presided over each of the following boards: YWCA of Central Alabama, The Linly Heflin Unit, Girls Inc., Child Care Resources, Volunteer Bureau, and Mtn. Brook High School PTA. She served on St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Vestry; as United Way Special Gifts chair; Junior League of Birmingham treasurer and Sustainer chair; and as a tutor for STAIR, Better Basics, and the Adult Learning Center. She was a member of Tremont Garden Club, Cambridge and New Era Study Clubs, Bookmarkers, Harlequins, Maskers, the National Society of Colonial Dames, and Mountain Brook Club. She was honored to have been a kidney donor to her husband in 1996. Also known as “Nanny,” she adored and enjoyed her family, friends, tennis, golf, nature, and always showing up to support others. Generous of spirit, she added warmth wherever she went and was beloved by many.
Predeceased by her husband, Jim, and her parents, Walter Alva Swain and Henrietta Parker McCants Swain, she is survived by her children: Anne Couch (Rob), Jim Emack Jr. (Kaye), and Susan Alison (James); her grandchildren: Mary Stuart Hurst (Stuart), Frances Hurt (Tucker), Henry Emack (Kellie), Carter Emack, Parker Alison (Jackie), and Anne Fairly Robson (Nicholas); and her great-grandchildren: Charlie, Henry, and Frances Hurst; Bo, Thomas, and Annie Hurt; and Bates Alison.
A celebration of life will be at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Friday, January 23, 2026, with visitation at 10 a.m. followed by funeral service at 11.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to St Luke’s, 3736 Montrose Road, Birmingham, AL 35213; the YWCA, 309 23rd Street North, B’ham, AL 35203; Linly Heflin Unit, 13 Office Park Circle, Birmingham, AL 35213; or any nonprofit benefiting women and children.
