Rev. LeNier R. (Lee) Emerson of Swea City, Iowa died Friday, March 24, 2017 at the age of 86, at Midland Memorial Hospital. The Memorial will begin with a visitation at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Garrett Hall at the First United Methodist Church, followed by a service of remembrance at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Sanctuary, 400 Scurry St., Big Spring, Texas.Following High School, Lee enlisted in the Army and served our country in Korea. The GI Bill made it possible for Lee to attend and graduate from the University of Iowa with a degree in Business Administration. While at the University of Iowa Lee was active at the Wesley Foundation where he met Fran Livermore. They married June 14, 1957, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Lee’s calling was the ministry. Lee attended Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, where he obtained a Master of Divinity degree.Lee served as a Chaplin at Longview State Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio then moved to Libertyville, Illinois where he was employed by Downey V.A. Hospital in North Chicago for 25 years. Lee was offered the position of Chief of Chaplin Services in Big Spring, Texas. After retiring in 1995, Lee remained active in the community through involvement in The Rotary Club, Keep Big Spring Beautiful, Friends of the Library, First United Methodist Church, Food to Kids, Big Spring Symphony Board, Big Spring Symphony Guild, and Big Spring Federal Credit Union.Lee is survived by his wife, Fran; a daughter, Anna Kleid of Kenosha WI; a son, Gilbert LeNier Emerson of Jacksonville, FL; and four grandchildren.The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1229, Big Spring, TX, 79721-1229, or to a charity of your choice.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com,
