- Date Of Birth: December 21, 1927
- Date Of Death: October 28, 2013
- State: Texas
Emily Nail Lunday Garrett was born December 21, 1927 in Temple, Texas, the daughter of James Nail and Cleo Whitmire Nail. She grew up in Temple under the loving tutelage of her older brothers, James J. Nail and Harold (“Spike”) Nail, and her adoring grandparents and aunts.
She graduated from Temple High School in 1946, attended Baylor University, Waco, and graduated from Howard Payne University, Brownwood, with a degree in English literature. On a summer mission trip, she met Robert H. Lunday, Jr. and they married in 1951. Over twenty-two years, they raised two daughters, spent countless hours volunteering in their church, and Emily continued her career as a teacher.
Emily obtained two masters degrees, one in journalism and the other in counseling, from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, and she transitioned from teaching high school English and journalism to counselor. After her divorce, she became interested in working with women who were suddenly thrust back into the workplace and she founded a program she named Women in New Roles (WINR) at Tarrant County College, Fort Worth. She was a mentor and friend to thousands throughout her career.
She had an adventurous spirit and was a world traveler. She made life-long friends wherever she was and in 1998, reconnected with and married her beau from college days, Edward Garrett. They had six years of happiness together before his death in 2004. Her brightest smiles were when she spoke of her grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and she was very proud of each of them. She loved music and authored books. She was a strong leader whose life made a true difference in this world.
Survivors include two daughters, Sally J. Lunday, and Jennifer S. Lewis and her husband, Jimmy Lewis; three grandchildren, Jon R. Janacek, Elisa Janacek Lovorn and her husband, Andrew Lovorn, and Benjamin T. Oppenheim; two step-grandchildren, Jerimy Lewis and his wife, Elizabeth Lewis and their children, Jerimy and Evan, and Jennifer Lewis Martin and her husband, Robert Martin, and their children, Seth and Samantha. Emily also leaves behind loving nieces, nephews, in-laws, and a host of long-time friends.
