Joyce Emmerling

Joyce Dowdy Emmerling, 72, of Little Rock, after a courageous battle with cancer for nine years, passed away Friday, July 13, 2012. She was a secretary for City Business Machines for over 10 years. She went to nursing school at the age of 52 and became a Registered Nurse, December 1994. She worked for Baptist Rehabilitation Institute where she retired. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Her first love was playing the piano. She was a beautiful pianist and organist for St. Theresa's Catholic Church for 20 years and Christ the King Catholic Church for several years. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Dale Emmerling, of Little Rock; daughter and son-in-law, Malleson and Todd Van Wyngarden, of Lenexa, Kansas; three sons and daughters-in-law, Sam and Alicia Emmerling, of North Little Rock, Mark and Mendy Emmerling, of Maumelle and Scott and Carla Emmerling of Roland; and nine grandchildren She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Corine Dowdy; and brother, Cecil Gene "Sonny" Dowdy. Memorials may be made to Baptist School of Nursing, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 or Msgr. Herbert Endowment Fund at Christ the King School, 4000 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212. Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m., Monday at Christ the King Catholic Church. A rosary service will be held 7:30 p.m., Sunday at the church. Private burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.