Lauren Gough Emler

Our beloved Lauren Gough Emler, 47, passed away peacefully at home on August 10, 2024, surrounded by her family following a brief but heroic battle with cancer. Lauren was born on August 1, 1977, to Preston H. Gough, Jr. and Barbara Birdsong Gough. Her birthday was really August 2nd, but Preston convinced the doctor to change it so it would be the same birthday as his favorite uncle. She is survived by her incredibly loving husband Joseph “Joey” Nicholas Emler, who adored her from the moment he met her. He called her his angel. They had nine amazing years of marriage, but it was not nearly enough time. She is also survived by her mother Barbara, her sister Rebecca Gough Ueltschey (Michael), her brother Preston H. Gough, III (Bethany), and her six nieces and nephews who were more like her children: Anderson, Taylor, Tanner, and Liv Ueltschey, and Preston IV and Annie Gough. Lauren enjoyed spoiling them to no end, and they completely adored their Lala. Her dachshund Lily was her best friend and sidekick. Lauren is also survived by many dear aunts, uncles, cousins, coworkers, and friends. She is preceded in death by her father Preston H. Gough, Jr.

A graduate of Mississippi College, Lauren received her Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Education. She blessed many students and fellow educators at Rosa Scott School, Madison Middle School, and Camden Elementary from 2000 until 2008. In 2005, Lauren founded the Christmas at Camden service project that has continued each year since. In 2008, Lauren began her new career and ministry when she opened Smitten Gift Boutique in Ridgeland with her partners, Emily Hassell and Rebecca Ueltschey. The three worked very closely together for the past sixteen years and only almost killed each other a few times. Lauren enjoyed monogramming many children’s blankets, backpacks, and other baby items, and she loved keeping the secret of a customer’s baby gender - she wouldn’t tell a soul. Lauren also enjoyed greeting the delivery drivers who will miss her smiling face at the back door asking which snack and color Gatorade they preferred. Behind the scenes, she blessed many others, and we will likely never know all of the ways.

God blessed Lauren with a beautiful head of hair which she didn’t want to lose, and we are thankful she got to keep. She had a beautiful smile, a heavenly singing voice, an infamous and infectious laugh, a ridiculously tiny sneeze, a great love for Jesus, and a heart so big and so giving it could have burst out of her chest.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to all of her amazing doctors, nurses, and the nursing assistants at St. Dominic’s Hospital. They fell in love with her gentle spirit and took the very best care of her. We will be forever grateful.

Friends are invited to visitation with the family from 5:00-7:00pm on Friday, August 16th, and 9:00-11:00am on Saturday, August 17th, with a memorial starting at 11:00am in the chapel at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison with Pastor Dr. Jim Futral officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be made to St. Dominic’s Hospital Emergency Department or to her favorite local non-profit, Cheshire Abbey. You can also honor Lauren and our family by spreading kindness, loving like Lala, and making sure you go each year to your annual doctor checkups.