Emma Owen Hackney

Emma Owen Hackney passed away on November 30th 2025. She was born in Dallas, TX in August of 1996 to Fred and Gail Hackney. She grew up in Preston Hollow and attended the Episcopal School of Dallas. She went to the University of South Carolina for undergrad and graduated with a degree in Marketing and Communications. After graduating she moved back to Dallas where she later attended Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law with a Dean’s Scholarship. She graduated in 2023 and spent her professional career as a finance attorney at Jackson Walker, LLP.

Emma is survived by her loving mother Gail Owen Hackney, sister Maggie Hackney Pinholster (Ian), her niece Elizabeth Pinholster, her longtime boyfriend and the love of her life Franklin Fotopoulos, her aunt Eva Jean Thompson (Victor) of Hoover, AL, and uncle John Alvis Hackney (Ann) of Guntersville, AL, aunt Patty Owen Compton (Jere) of Nashville, TN. She is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Fred Lee Hackney.

Emma was a vivacious, kind, driven, and funny young woman. She was so goofy and unapologetically herself. Her presence incited happiness. It is impossible to tell a story about her without laughing. She lit up every room with her contagious smile and genuine personality. Her life revolved around her tight knit group of friends. She was the glue that held them together, and she loved each one of them with everything she had. She loved her job and was so proud of her achievements at Jackson Walker. Emma made everyone she knew feel loved and special, and everyone loved her back. She touched countless lives and her absence will be felt deeply by so many people.

A service will be held in Emma’s honor on Tuesday, December 9th at 4:00 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Dallas Animal Services where Emma adopted her beloved dog Rocco.