On May 21, 2025, Heaven gained a precious lady with the passing of Pearl Knight McInnis Emanuel. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished grandmother.
She was born March 13, 1938 in Scotland County, North Carolina, and lived a life filled with love, laughter and dedication to her entire family.
Pearl was a true homemaker who created a warm and loving environment for her children, and for all who entered her home. She was an exceptional cook and always loved to provide a great homecooked meal. She was frequently heard to say, “That’s my way of loving.”
She was an avid gardener who loved flowers of all variations. She was thrilled to have received the honor of “yard of the month” while she lived in Hamlet.
Pearl enjoyed her careers at Sarah Lee Hosiery and driving the school bus for the Richmond County and Brunswick County school systems. She enthusiastically loved riding a Harley motorcycle with her husband, S.J. McInnis before his death in 2005. She was an active member of the various churches that she attended and a devoted Christian.
Perhaps her greatest attribute was her love. She always showed love, kindness, and respect to anyone that she encountered. Her children, grandchildren, bonus children and bonus grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews were so very precious to her.
Her second journey in life was completed with her surviving spouse, Alton Emanuel. She is also survived by her daughter, Donna McInnis Usher (Sonny); sons Lee McInnis (Jennifer) and Paul McInnis; bonus daughters Dianne Emanuel (Ron Kanode) and Sandra Craig (Cliff). She leaves grandchildren Allen Usher (Stephanie), Stephen Robinson (Megan), Joel Usher (Bailey), Drew McInnis, Laine McInnis Saylor (Corey), Maggie McInnis, Wyatt McInnis, Matt McInnis, Taylor McInnis. Her bonus grandchildren included Clark McInnis (Susan), Scott McInnis (Renee) Angel McInnis Nelson (Travis), Ben Walters, (Paula), Rocky Walters, (Nancy) and Wendy McInnis Dunn (Michael), Alex Craig Ridgill (Joshua), and Kip Craig. She was blessed with several great- and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother Lester Brigman (Lois), sisters Lorraine Knight English and Evelina Knight Stubbs (John L.); and multiple nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Love Knight and Lillie Green Knight; her first husband, S.J. McInnis, son Stephen Allen McInnis; bonus sons William (Bill) and Sidney McInnis; and several brothers and sisters.
Her homegoing celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Nebo Wesleyan Church 1812 Airport Road in Hamlet. The visitation will be from 1-2:30 p.m. with the service to begin at 3 p.m.
Online condolences may be made at waston-kingfuneralhome.com Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the family.
