Emma Lou Cabaniss

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. today, Oct. 16, 2011, at Forest Lake Baptist Church with Dr. Donald Payne officiating and Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

Emma, or “Miss Lou,” as she was called by many who loved her, was preceded in death by her husband, James Madison Cabaniss; parents, Monroe and Gertrude Styers; brothers, Herman Styers and Dock Styers; and great-grandson, Jake Wilson.

Survivors include her daughters, Susan Kincaid (Butch) and Debbie Hobbs; sister, Ernest Mae Spencer; brothers, John Styers (Vivian) and Roland Styers (Virginia); grandchildren, Brian Kincaid (Emily), Kelly Kincaid (Katie), Jennifer Slye (Jason), and Scott Wilson (Erin); great-grandchildren, Ella Grace Slye, Emma Lucy Slye, Haley Wilson, and Luke Wilson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Miss Lou was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved gardening and tending her beautiful flowers. She loved her church family at Forest Lake Baptist, where for over 50 years she taught preschool children about the love of Christ. Until just the last few weeks, she faithfully attended worship every Sunday and until the last year, continued to sing in the choir that she loved. She spent her entire life serving the Lord by caring for and ministering to people in need. She was a living testimony of how to spend every day of life living for Christ, and it is by His grace that we will one day see her again.

Pallbearers will be Scott Wilson, Brian Kincaid, Kelly Kincaid, Jason Slye, Joe Lary, Eddie Lary, Coy Haney, and Kyle Powell.

Honorary pallbearers are the staff of Hospice of West Alabama; owners, staff, and former residents of LaRocca Nursing Home; owners, staff, and residents of Heritage Health Care Center; Dr. Brian Wilhite; Dr. Mack Barnes and staff of UAB Cancer Center; Dr. Ross Vaughn; FLBC preschool department; Forest Lake Baptist Church members; and lifelong friends Jean Propst, Frances Haney, and Sarah Burns.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama or Forest Lake Baptist Church. Thank you to all caregivers, friends, and family who were God's hands and feet and who walked with us through this long journey. Mother loved you all.