Funeral services for Anna Belle Curry Emfinger of Gilbert will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church in Gilbert, with Rev. Bobby Ensminger, Rev. Jimmy Harper and longtime family friend Bud Arnold officiating.

Interment will follow at Oakley Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, at Calvary Baptist Church.

Mrs. Emfinger was born on March 30, 1929, and passed from this life to her heavenly home on Sunday, September 17, at her Gilbert home. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, E. N. "Junior" Emfinger.

Anna Belle Emfinger was the quintessential "Southern Belle" who always greeted family and friends with abeautiful smile and an offer of food or drink. She possessed an inner beauty that was always remembered by those she came in contact with, be it at the store, the school, or the church.

She was a voracious reader who loved beautiful things, and a crossword puzzle warrior. She kept a beautiful and tidy home where everything had its place and dared anytree limb to fall that she wouldnt immediately set out to pick up. Even in her advancing years, it was not unusual for her to putter about in the yard, much to the worry and consternation of her children.

Those worries mattered not to her. What did matter was how proud she was of all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, all of whom she knew by name and was determined to be sure they received a birthday or Christmas gift when it was time. Without question, there was a special place in her heart for every one of them.

Anna Belle is preceded in death by her much-loved husband, whom she doted on for nearly seven decades of her life; her parents Joseph Edward Curry and Kitty Mae Ingram Curry, brothers Eddie, Billy, Clinton and Joe Curry, and her sister Kitty Marbury.

She is survived by her four children, Sherry Mahaffey and husband Eric of Monroe; Lindy Price and husband Paul of Winnsboro; Mike Emfinger and wife Karen of Crowville; and Carole Franklin and husband Roy of Rayville. "Gran" is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her youngest sister Claudia Guffy and her husband, Andy, of North Carolina, and brother-in-law Bobby Emfinger and his wife, Jeanette of Gilbert.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Chris Lewis, Mark Mahaffey, Michael Mahaffey, Colton Franklin, Seth Christian and Aaron Stewart. Honorary pallbearers include Bud Arnold, Bobby Emfinger and Alvie Vick.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jeff Combetta and his staff at Franklin Medical Center for their loving care and attention, along with the staff at Home Care TLC, including beloved nurses Carla, Kathy, Patricia and Madeline. All of these wonderful professionals provided the greatest of care and comfort when it was needed the most.

And, in her final months, Anna Belles "Angels" fell in love with her and provided uncompromised care during a difficult time. Angels Gloria, Penny, Carol, Rosie and Dixie were a blessing, and the love and grace that Brenda, Sharon, Anita, Kathy and Cindy gave so freely in her final days was truly a blessing from God that will never be forgotten by her family.

In addition, the family thanks Cricket Collins for her generosity and love, Alvie Vick for being as she called him the "Worlds Best Neighbor", Kay and the Council on Aging for their kindness, and Kathy and friends at the Franklin Parish Library who were always so sweet to her. Many loved and faithfully cared for her over the past several years, and the family is grateful for their many acts of kindness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church in Gilbert or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com .

Calvary Baptist Church

Calvary Baptist Church

Oakley Cemetery