(1923 – 2010)
86, passed away peacefully at her home in West Columbia on January 1, 2010.
Emma was born on June 20, 1923, in Midwest, Wyoming, the third child of John and Minna Lou Downing Moyar. Emma’s family relocated frequently due to her father’s work in the oil and gas industry. They lived in Moab, Utah; Russell, Kansas; Amarillo, Texas; Pampa, Texas; and eventually settled in Fort Worth, Texas. There, Emma attended and graduated from Paschal High School. She attended both The University of Texas and Texas Christian University and was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta. In 1943, she met and married the love of her life, Edwin Pryor “Onkie” Womack. After Onkie returned from his service in World War II and completed his studies at Texas A&M University, they settled in West Columbia. There they raised two sons together, Dr. John Edwin Womack and William Pryor “Bill” Womack.
Emma was an active volunteer and philanthropist throughout her life, serving organizations such as the Red Cross Motor Corps during World War II, Boy Scouts of America, American Legion, Little League, FFA, local schools and the West Columbia Chamber of Commerce. She and Onkie were founding members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in West Columbia, holding the first service in their living room. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and was to receive her 50-year pin later this year. Mrs. Womack donated and dedicated The Womack Fountain next to the Columbia Historical Museum. She was president of the Columbia Cemetery Association for several years. In August of 1980 she and husband Edwin Pryor “Onkie” donated The Smith Gates (fencing) to the Old Columbia Cemetery. She was instrumental in the creation of Veteran’s Memorial Park in West Columbia and contributed to the Stephen F. Austin Memorial Statue in Munson Park.
Despite being an Aggie only by marriage, Emma generously donated her time and resources to her adopted alma mater. Together, Onkie and Emma endowed a scholarship in 1957 that, for more than 50 years, has benefited one Brazoria County student each year enrolled at Texas A&M. She generously donated a home to UTMB to house medical students in West Columbia, proudly naming it Reveille House, and trimming the white house in the exact shade of maroon used at Texas A&M.
Mrs. Womack also was the founder of the Columbia Historical Museum. It was through her continuous efforts with the museum that Mrs. Womack became involved in the restoration of the Rosenwald School. Mrs. Womack spearheaded the certification, restoration and relocation of the school and its addition to the museum. She was immensely proud as the school was recognized in a formal dedication ceremony last fall [2009] by the Texas Historic Commission.
In addition to other countless awards and honors received throughout her life, Mrs. Womack was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year for 2007 by the Community Foundation of Brazoria County, Woman of the Year by the West Columbia Chamber of Commerce and was a two-time finalist for The Facts Citizen of the Year.
“Portion of Obituary . . .” (January 1, 2010) The Facts
