Edwin Boyette Emerson

Dr. Edwin Boyette Emerson, aged 64, passed away January 23, 2021. Ed was born February 13, 1956, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in Bolivar, TN, and he later moved to Nashville, TN in 1986 after finishing his surgical training where he spent the remainder of his life. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Edwin Emerson, Jr., Beverly Denton Emerson, and his younger brother, David Morris Emerson. He leaves behind his loving wife of 41 years, Rechilda Toribio Emerson, his sisters Marian Puckett (Mitchell) and Mary Nola Meeks (Jimmy), as well as his children and grandchildren, Blake (Tori, Bailey, Olivia, Adelaide, Sadie), Tyler (Tiffany, Jeremy, Austin), Kristina (Eric, Charlotte) and his many nieces and nephews.

Ed attended Bolivar Elementary School and Bolivar Central High School. After graduating in 1974 as the valedictorian, he attended the University of Tennessee at Martin and graduated in 1977 summa cum laude. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. He then attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and graduated in 1981 summa cum laude and as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He trained in otolaryngology at Medical University of South Carolina. After completing training in 1986, he moved his family to Nashville, TN, where he joined a private practice. He finished his career as the chief of otolaryngology at the Nashville Veteran Affairs Medical Center and Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 2004 to 2018. He was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Tennessee Medical Association, Nashville Academy of Medicine, Nashville Academy of Otolaryngology, and American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery.

The passion of Ed’s life and his true vocation was otolaryngology. In 1986, Ed began his career as a general otolaryngologist in Nashville, TN, serving patients at all four major hospitals. He was one of the most popular ENTs in Nashville because of his wide breadth of skills and charming bedside manner. He moved to the Nashville Veteran Affairs Medical Center in 2004 and served as the Chief of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery until 2018. He thoroughly enjoyed caring for the nation’s veterans, and he was an enthusiastic and patient teacher to many otolaryngology residents, whom he adored.

In Ed’s free time, he enjoyed manicuring his yard while listening to James Taylor and Led Zeppelin with a Diet Coke in hand. He never missed an opportunity to relax on a white sandy beach with the love of his life, Rachel. Ed Emerson was a family man who devoted himself to his friends and family. He is famous for his stoic appearance but contagious smile and witty humor. No matter how long his work hours, he always made the time to get on his hands and knees to play with his grandchildren as their ‘Big Da’. Ed’s legacy will forever live through the residents he taught, the staff he worked with, the friendships he cherished and the children he raised.

A Funeral Mass for family only due to social restrictions will be held at Saint Henry Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee on a Friday, January 29, 2021 at 11:30AM, followed by burial of cremated remains in Calvary Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be all of his dedicated residents that he taught over the years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital (cc email: b.tyler.emerson@vumc.org).