ELIZABETHTOWN — On July 29, family and friends gathered at the Paul R. Brown Building to celebrate the 96th birthday of Emma Jane Owens McKoy.

The event, part of a family reunion weekend planned by her grandchildren, was filled with music, food, and the sharing of fond memories of special times with Mrs. Emma.

Masters of ceremony for the program were Melvin and Garrett Rhodes.

Emma McKoy was born July 29, 1921, and grew up in Mullins, S.C. She went on to marry Luther McKoy on July 9, 1939, and, out of that union, they raised 16 children (eight boys and eight girls). The couple celebrated 63 years of marriage until Luther passed away in 1993.

Mrs. Emma remained the strong matriarch of the family after the death of her husband and the passing of her two oldest children, Addie Louise Smith and James L. McKoy. She is cherished by her 14 children, 44 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren. Many attended the birthday event to celebrate Emma’s life, her love and her legacy.

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