Ms. Emma Aline Tinney

Emma Tinney was born on August 3, 1923, and she peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior on the early Saturday morning of May 22, 2021. Out of respect for her lifelong wish to remain "age anonymous,” you will have to do the math. Emma was born at her home in Howland, Texas. She was the fifth of seven children born to James E. Gatlin and Maude (Snell) Gatlin. A defining moment of her life was her salvation at age thirteen. This began her lifelong personal relationship with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Emma graduated from Roxton High School in 1941, and later went on to graduate from East Texas State University in 1946. Later that year, she moved to Dallas where she met Joseph Lloyd Tinney Jr. It was love at first sight. Emma always said the moment she saw Lloyd she knew he was the man she was going to marry. They were married on November 14, 1946, and had two daughters, Donna and Kathy. They were married for 23 years, until Lloyd’s untimely death on May 7, 1969.

Emma was a wonderful mother and an exceptional single mom. She always "walked it like she talked it” and unselfishly provided her daughters with every opportunity she could. She strived to make the most of life despite great heartache. Emma taught second and third grade for over 25 years. She had a passion for teaching and went on to receive her master’s degree in early childhood education from North Texas University in 1979.

Emma took retirement head on. She saw it as an opportunity to do exactly as she wanted. Demonstrating a mother's love during her retirement, she faced a great tragedy. Her daughter, Donna, suffered a debilitating brain aneurysm. She was Donna's fierce champion, navigating through the red tape of Social Security and various rehab facilities for over 20 years. She never gave up hope and always believed that Donna would get better. During this time, she experienced her greatest joy, the birth of her three grandchildren. She was the consummate "Grandmommy,” always involved in their lives. She never missed an opportunity to tell someone about the most beautiful, intelligent, and talented grandchildren in the world (which is the truth). Emma had a passion for travelling, and always loved to tell people she had visited six continents. She loved to play any type of game exhibiting a strong competitive spirit. Her motto was “play to win”. Her favorites included bridge, 42, dominos, chicken foot, and kings in the corner. She also loved to exercise. The best present she received was an exercise CD a few Christmas’s ago. She religiously watched it every day. Emma was a tireless volunteer and club member: Twin Oaks Garden Club, Methodist Guild, Lion's Club, Oak Cliff Women's Club, Book Browsers, Silver Serenaders, Dance Clubs, Victim's Outreach, and last, but not least, she was known as the "Puzzle Lady" at Crescent Point/Morada. Emma loved her extended family, enjoying visits and family reunions tremendously.

She is survived by her two daughters Donna Tinney and Kathy Rosales, her son-in law, J. Rosales, and their children Nicholas, Hannah, and Samuel Rosales, her beloved sister Lou Wilson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Emma lived her life with great enthusiasm and few regrets.