April 2, 1938 — April 5, 2021
Emmett Timmons was born on April 2, 1938 to the late Joe L. Timmons Sr. and the late Florene Timmons. He was preceded in death by six siblings: Joe Jr. and James Timmons, Irene Sanford, Pearl Erskine, Gladys Similton and Leola Kennamore.
Emmett confessed hope in Christ early in life and actively served at Lowe’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. He graduated from Council Training School; served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, and was honorably discharged in 1962. Emmett graduated from J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College certified in engineering design. He was employed as an engineer designer at Boeing Company and Teledyne Brown in Huntsville, Alabama, where he engineered designs for the Apollo Space Program, specifically spacecraft-launch vehicles.
In a prior marriage to the late Lela Timmons, five daughters were born. Emmett was a “Girl Dad.” He ingrained success, showered his daughters with love, and was equally loved. He proudly attended high school and college graduations and ministerial ordinations. As an entrepreneur, he licensed and operated “Debbie’s Vending Company” named after his daughter the Rev. Deborah Timmons. Debbie’s Vending Company operated as a neighborhood shop for summer treats. From his daughters, five grandchildren were born.
Living in St. Paul, Emmett was employed at 3M Company Customer Engineering and retired upon completing 27 years of service. At 3M, he volunteered as a tutor, coaching in math and sciences. At 3M he met his loving and caring wife Dotty, sharing over 23 years of wedded bliss. Emmett and Dotty enjoyed cruising through St. Paul in their red convertible Corvette with smiles of love and happiness. As Emmett’s health declined, Dotty became a special caretaker to Emmett. With the marriage to Dotty, Emmett joined the love of a daughter, two sons, six grand-children and six great-grandchildren.
Emmett was a member of Hamline United Methodist Church where he attended regularly before his health declined. In St. Paul, Emmett was also employed as a freelance photographer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Insight News, Laprensa and Asian American Press. Emmett’s quick-wittedness with photography was extraordinary. As a namesake photographer, he covered celebrities, icons, and worked as a private photographer for weddings and key events. Emmett relished good music.
He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife, Dotty Tyler Timmons; five biological daughters Sandra Timmons, the Rev. Deborah Timmons and Cheryl Timmons of Huntsville, Alabama, Zelda Henderson of Decatur, Georgia, and Audrey (Randy) Story of Washington, D.C.; daughter Michelle (Andre) Smith of St. Paul, Minnesota; sons Willie and Toby Tyler, St. Paul, Minnesota; grandchildren Amber, Amanda and Amaya Henderson, Trinity and Randy Story, Essence, Estan and Estanie Tyler, Lakieya Leroy, Maleah Smith, and Tobius Tyler; six great-grandchildren Estan Jr, Sanaa and Zya Tyler, Ramero Robbins Tyler, Damagio and Kaliegah Rowan of St. Paul, Minnesota; three sisters, Betty Watkins, Sylvia Rennicks and Jennifer (Thomas) Laster all of Huntsville, Alabama; two brothers, Earl Timmons, Sr. and William Timmons both of Huntsville, Alabama; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Emmett was interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 22.
