Gerald W. Emanuel

Gerald W. Emanuel, AKA Paul David Henson, 59, of Etowah died at his home on Monday, March 25, 2013, following a five month illness.

He was born in Sugartree, Tenn., the biological son of Willie T. Henson and Alta M. Henson. He was the adopted son of the late Emmett and Ruby Emanuel. He was also preceded in death by a sister Peggy Jackson and a brother-in-aw Pat Noble.

A former resident of Memphis, Tenn., he was a self-employed auto mechanic and was a member of Cordova Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn. He loved flowers, hiking, and waterfalls.

Surviving is his wife of almost 40 years, Mary Jo Emanuel; daughter Christy Gray and husband Phillip of Billings, Mont.; sons Jason Emanuel of Clermont, Fla., and Joshua Emanuel of Etowah; grandchildren Anna Emanuel, Kathryn Emanuel, Danielle Gray, Richard Gray, Meredith Emanuel, Harley Emanuel, and Dylan Emanuel; sisters Mary Noble of Gadsden, Tenn., Audrey Schaffhauser and husband John of Ripley, Miss.; a brother R.C. Latham of Pinson, Tenn.; and two close friends Rob of Saluda and Pete of Hendersonville.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:00pm Wednesday at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Services and burial will follow later in the week in Bolivar, Tennessee under the direction of Shackelford Funeral Directors.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.forestlawnhendersonville.com. Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.