Emmett Nathan Head

He was an active member of Sonrise Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia.

Born November 18, 1942, in LaGrange, Georgia to Thomas and Wonee May Head, Emmett lived in Franklin, Georgia (God’s Country) until he was seventeen. Growing up, he attended Harmony Methodist Church. He helped his family as they farmed by getting up hay, feeding the chickens, pigs, and cows. He helped in the family’s home building business, as well.

Emmett graduated from Heard County High School on June 1, 1960, and went on to enlist in the United States Army on June 7, 1960, at seventeen years of age. He took basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina (Boot Hill). After basic training, he was assigned to the 43rd Artillery Battalion (not cannons but missiles) at Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington. Other duty stations included 2nd Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and 1st BN 13th Infantry at Mannheim, Germany, Fort Benning, Georgia and Harmony Church as a Drill Sergeant. He was stationed in Germany when President Kennedy was assassinated.

Discharged from the Army in 1968, Emmett was hired as a police officer in Columbus, Georgia. He resigned from the police department in April, 1969 and reenlisted into the United States Army. He was stationed in Ft. Jackson as a Drill Sergeant, Republic of Vietnam MAT TM 95, Ft. Benning, Georgia as a heavy weapons instructor, Ft. Polk, Louisiana as a Drill Sergeant, Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Ft. McClellan, Alabama as a Drill Sergeant. He was promoted to E-8 ROTC Duty at Mississippi State University. Also, in Ft. Benning, 1st Sergeant, made E-9 ROTC duty at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Lastly, in Ft. Benning, Georgia, 29th Infantry BN S-3 SGM. During his military career, specific training included NCO Academy Instructor, Training Course Instructor, Drill Sergeant School, Race Relations, Riot Control and more. He retired October 1, 1991, in Ft. Benning, Georgia.

It was at Fort Benning, Georgia in August, 1986, that Emmett met the earthly love of his life, Miss Patricia (Pat). They were married on July 27, 1990, at Harmony Methodist Church.

Emmett also worked 15 years after retirement at Mobil Chemical & Exxon Mobil. He retired in 2007.

He had an Associate’s Degree in Education from Northwestern State University.

Awards he received include National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Overseas Service Ribbon with Num-2, Good Conduct medal 9th award, Army commendation medal 4th Oak leaf cluster, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Num-4 Legion of Merit, Southwest Asia Service medal, Overseas Service bar, and Combat Infantry Badge.

Emmett is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pat, his mother, Wonee May Stallings, stepfather, Jefferson Stallings, father, Thomas Head, brother, Larry Stallings, sister, Elaine Adkinson and stepson, Michael Riley.

Emmett is survived by his nephew, Adarius Colson (AD), whom he considers his son, brother, Andy Stallings, sisters, Kathy Taylor (Roy), Marie Siggler, Sandra Edwards, and Barbara Holden. Other survivors include his stepson, James Marsh, two special nieces, Tiffany and Pam Stallings, two special nephews, Christopher and Jeff Stallings, two grandsons, two great- grandsons, sister-in-law, Marie Nixon (baby sister) and numerous other nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A gathering of family and friends will be held in the chapel at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in LaGrange on Monday, May 4th, at 11:00 a.m., with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. A committal service will be held at Restlawn Memory Gardens.

All arrangements are made by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com