Margie Pearl Emswiler

Margie Pearl Slaughter Emswiler was born in Como, Hopkins County, Texas on February 23, 1923. She was welcomed into Heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 28, 2025. Born to Early and Bessie Slaughter, Margie spent her formative years growing up in and around Malakoff, Texas, graduating from Malakoff High School in May, 1941. Following graduation, Margie moved to Dallas, Texas, and worked as a nanny.

As a member of the Greatest Generation, in August, 1941, Margie began working at North American Aviation in Grand Prairie, Texas, as a defense worker. Initially, she filled the position of a "Rosie, the Riveter," building various fighter jets for the Army Air Corps. Upon the United States entry into World War II, Margie was transferred to the Blueprint Division. Margie stayed at the defense plant until her marriage to Thomas Quest Emswiler ("Tom") on June 14, 1943. When Tom was shipped overseas, Margie joined her parents in Houston, remaining with them until Tom was discharged.

After her husband's return from overseas, Margie and Tom moved to the Houston area, living primarily in Pasadena, raising their family of six children. Margie attended baseball/softball games, school choir/band concerts and plays. She was an avid Houston Astros fan and loved going to the games at the Astrodome. As the children grew up and married, Margie welcomed the new family members. She loved her children, but the grandchildren and great-grandchildren held special places in her heart, each one having a unique relationship with her. After 49 years and 16 days of marriage, Tom entered Heaven's gates on July 2, 1992. Margie remained a widow until her death.

Margie gave her heart to Jesus Christ when she was fourteen at the First Baptist Church in Harmony, Texas. For the next 88 years, she lived in the goodness of God. She is a charter member of Genoa Assembly of God (now Gulf Palms Assembly of God), as well as Christian Temple Assembly of God (now Community Transformation Church). Margie was active in the church as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and a leader in Women's Ministries. An avid studier of the Word, margie loved to memorize Scripture. She truly trusted the Lord for all things in this journey called life... healing, finances, employment, sobriety of heart, soul, mind, and body. Margie was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman.

Following a diagnosis of congestive heart failure in August, 2019, and subsequent elderly issues in 2024 requiring palliative hospice care, Margie had precious caregivers who became members of the family. In that regard, our family would like to honor these women, albeit a small way: Luz Straw, for many years of love and compassionate caregiving; TLC Caregivers Cheryl Lindsey and Tamisha Turner, providing compassionate care; Rochelle Westrup and Jordan Sims of Sitting Saints; and Kyndrid. Jordan, you are a blessing and a jewel. Kyndrid, you are a source of extraordinary joy.

Margie was preceded in death by the following: her husband, Thomas Q. Emswiler; parents, Early Slaughter and wife, Bessie; sisters, Bobbie Nell Slaughter Boles, and husband, Shelton, and Earline Slaughter Guthrie and husband, Ian; son-in-law, Sidney Rohde; niece, Joyce Guthrie Schoen; nephews, James David Guthrie and Johnny Guthrie.

Margie is survived by a large, extended family of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and their respective families. Proverbs 31:28 says, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed;... "Psalm 112:2 says, "...the generation of the upright shall be blessed." Her children: Judy Emswiler Rohde; Tom Emswiler and wife, Geneva; Reverend Gene Emswiler and wife, Teresa; Lynda Emswiler Savage and husband, David; Marilyn Emswiler; and Donna Emswiler.

Grandchildren were an important part of Margie's life. As her children married and began their respective families, Margie's heart expanded as she welcomed each one into her fold. To her grandchildren, she was "Mamaw." They are: Steele Rohde and wife, Katey; Lanny Emswiler and wife, Robin; Les Emswiler and wife, Brenda; Clay Rohde and wife, DeShawna; David Savage and wife, Brooke; Stephanie Savage Donley and husband, Ben; Andrea Emswiler Sherman and husband, Chris; Christa Savage; and Lauren Emswiler Watson and husband, Michael.

Just as her children had married and began families, so did Margie's grandchildren. The great-grandchildren began arriving in 1996, filling her heart with joy as she watched each family grow. To her great-grandchildren, she was "Mamaw Margie." They are: Lieutenant Cade Savage (USN) and wife, Jordan; Brice Rohde and wife, Ashley; Madison Emswiler; Landon Rohde and wife, Taylor; Cassidy Emswiler; Kiley Rohde; Mallory Emswiler Delgado and husband, Derek; Luke Savage; Emily Emswiler; Alex Hardwick; Ryan Savage; Maguire Emswiler; Lacey Emswiler; Carson Rohde; Elijah Smothers; Noah Savage; Bella Sherman; Gracie Pierce Watson; Annie Watson; Tanner Sherman; and Cora Beth Watson.

Within the last two years of Margie's life, she reached a milestone rarely achieved. Not only celebrating a growing family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Margie became a great-great grandmother to Aiden Rohde and Blaine Rohde.

The Pallbearers are Margie's five grandson's and a nephew. They are: Steele Rohde, Clay Rohde, Lanny Emswiler, Les Emswiler, David Savage, Douglas Mitchell.

The Honorary Pallbearers are Margie's 11 great-grandson's. They are: Cade Savage, Brice Rohde, Landon Rohde, Derek Delgado, Luke Savage, Alex Hardwick, Maguire Emswiler, Carson Rohde, Elijah Smothers, Noah Savage, and Tanner Sherman.

Margie was a longtime supporter of Pleasant Hills Children's Home located in Oakwood, Texas. She requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to PHCH. Donations may be given as a designated offering through your local church, via on-line at www.pleasanthillschildrenshome.org or mailed to the following address:

Pleasant Hills Children's Home

Post Office Box 117

Fairfield, Texas 75840-1177

A visitation will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home, located at 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598, on September 9, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The funeral service is scheduled for September 10, 2025, at 10:00 am, also at Forest Park East Funeral Home. The committal will follow at 11:00 am at the same location.