Ema Dell H. McMahon

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, February 16, 2026 in Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

Mrs. McMahon was the wife of Andrew J. McMahon. She was born at Fayette, Alabama, daughter of the late Henry Pinkney Hobbs and Martha Rainey Hobbs. She graduated from Fayette High School, Fayette, Alabama, and attended University of Alabama Extension and Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama. She had a Civil Service career working for the Air Force, Mobile, Alabama; US Army, New Orleans, Louisiana; Bureau of Public Transportation, Jackson, Mississippi; Health, Education and Welfare Department, Cincinnati, Ohio; US Navy, Winter Park, Florida; Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama, and retired in 1989 as a Recruitment and Placement Specialist in the Civilian Personnel Office at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

The Department of the Army awarded her the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service in 1989 for outstanding service she provided the Civilian Personnel Office during her tenure as a Personnel Staffing Specialist. The Award additionally stated that “[h]er commitment to excellence resulted in the successful accomplishment of day-to-day operations and special assignments. Mrs. McMahon’s knowledge, dedication, and professionalism reflect credit upon herself, the Civilian Personnel Office, and Fort Jackson.”

She was an active member of the Military Order of Purple Heart and was awarded the Ladies Auxiliary Military Order of the Purple Heart Unit 402 Member of the Year in 2016. She was also a member of Mended Heart Chapter #189, Columbia Country Club Ladies Golf Association, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) Chapter 87.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of seventy years, Andrew J. “Andy” McMahon. She was also preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Loal Hobbs, E. J. Hobbs, Henry Pinkney Hobbs, Jr., sisters, Ruby J. Hobbs, Theo M. Hobbs and Orlene Hobbs Carroll, and brother-in-law, J. C. Carroll, sister-in-law, Helen C. Hobbs, and niece, Deborah Ann Carroll.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Irene W. Hobbs, Bessemer, Alabama, step niece, Linda Page, Missouri, and nephews Eric and Matthew Lewis. She is also survived by her husband Andy’s nephew, Gregory Parsons (Patti) Lexington, South Carolina, and their daughters Michelle Kelley (Jay) and children (Gus McMahon, Eloise May, Ema Dell and Jed), Lauren Mancke and children (Fox, Lera and Marigold) of Lexington, South Carolina, as well as many additional nieces and nephews.

Mrs. McMahon was the epitome of grace and strength. She was a steadfast companion of Andy and spent a lifetime honoring his heroic WWII service. Further, her own career accomplishments in service of the United States stand on their own merit. Together with Andy, she enjoyed golf, traveling, and time with family. Mrs. McMahon was a blessing to all who knew her and she will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wreaths Across America.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com