MRS. MARIE DIAMOND EMFINGER

Jeffcoat Funeral Home 255 Friendship Road Tallassee, AL 36078 Tel (334) 283-6801 Marie Diamond Emfinger, 79, of Eclectic, Alabama, peacefully transitioned to a heavenly realm on Friday, November 8, 2019 at home surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by her son, Tommy Emfinger, Jr.; daughter, Dr. Kay Emfinger (Shannon Parks); her favorite and only grandchild, Elliott Elizabeth Emfinger; and a host of loving and devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Tommy Emfinger, Sr., her parents, Hughie and Minnie Diamond; her favorite aunt Allene Belote; and numerous other relatives. Marie was born May 29, 1940 in East Tallassee Alabama to Hughie Preston Diamond and Minnie Lucile Ashurst Diamond. Marie’s mother died when she was just nine months old. Marie was cared for by an assortment of relatives until she went to live at the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home in Troy, Alabama, shortly after her eleventh birthday, just after her baptism. While at the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home, Marie excelled academically, serving as valedictorian of her class, socially, as a runner up in the Homecoming Court, and artistically, as a fluent pianist. After high school, Marie attended the University of Montevallo. During her freshman year, she met her life partner and future husband, Tommy Emfinger, Sr. They married in 1959 and settled in Tallassee, Alabama. Marie returned to college after her two children, Tommy Jr. and Kay, entered school. She graduated from Auburn University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Marie taught at Tallassee Elementary School and Southside Middle School, serving as a math and english teacher for 23 years. Marie’s students fondly remember her as the “one who taught them to really understand fractions” and “speak in an educated manner.” One of Marie’s former students, Norma DeVaughn, was her devoted caregiver and spoke often of the impact Marie’s teaching made on her life. As a working mother, Marie saw the great need for high quality, affordable, childcare in her community. In response to this need, in 1981, Marie opened and operated a childcare center serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. She operated the center until she suffered a spinal stroke in 1997. Marie was an exemplary community member. Over the years she has participated in civic and ecumenical associations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the First Baptist Church of Tallassee. Marie shared her talent for organizing, cooking, and entertaining in venues from church spaghetti suppers & Easter Pageants to community holiday open houses and intimate business recruitment dinners. Marie was an outstanding cook who entertained and catered parties for people in the Tallassee/Montgomery area as well as for business colleagues and friends of her daughter in Birmingham. One of her most sought-after specialties is shrimp remoulade, a secret family recipe only known by her granddaughter, Elliott Elizabeth Emfinger. Marie wishes to spend eternity among the beautiful lake water where her husband Tommy and she shared many good times, so her ashes will be spread at Lake Martin in a private ceremony at a later date. Donations in her memory may be sent to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, P.O. Box 361767, Birmingham, AL 35236 or https://www.alabamachild.org/#