Bobbie Kay was born February 20th, 1951 in Tyler, Texas to the parentage of the late Willie Crawford, Jr. and Winnie Dorsey-Crawford. She was affectionately known as "Kay" by many. She was the second oldest of eight children.

Kay received her education in the Tyler Independent School District. She attended John Tyler High School and later transferred her senior year to Emmitt Scott High School graduating with the class of 1969. She also attended Tyler Junior College.

At an early age, Kay accepted Christ into her life and united with Hopewell Valley Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas under Pastor W.D. Ward. As a youth she was involved with Hopewell Valley's choir and ushers.

As a young adult Kay was employed with Tyler Pipe until a swift courtship swept her off her feet. On November 24, 1977, Thanksgiving Day she married Elder Ray C. Emanuel, and recently celebrated 45 years of marriage. In their early years of marriage, they moved according to church appoints with the Tenth District of the African Methodist Church. From Port Arthur, TX to La Marque, TX, to Georgetown, TX. to El Paso, TX, to Marshall, TX, Terrell, TX, Athens, TX, Tyler, TX and finally to Palestine where they finally settled and setup roots. As a pastor's wife she served as first lady at various churches. Kay Emanuel always had a servant's heart serving in many capacities and auxiliaries. From Missionary society, singing in choir, ushering, and helping with the Young People's Department (YPD) where she was always a willing soul. In 2004, Pilgrim Rest Community Church in Oakwood, TX was reestablished, and Kay worked faithfully and assisted anywhere she was needed.

Kay loved serving her community along the side of her husband at their family business Emanuel Funeral Homes established in 1981, servicing surrounding communities of Palestine, Teague, Crockett, Trinity, and newly added Corsicana. Kay Emanuel was the heartbeat of Emanuel Funeral Homes. Whether managing day to day operations, administrational duties, assisting families, dressing cosmetizing those deceased, handling Insurance and Preneeds, communicating with vendors, maintaining automobile fleet, she did it all with a humble servant's heart. In her spare time Kay loved to travel when time permitted, she enjoyed word puzzles to relax her mind, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren.

Kay is preceded in death by her father, Willie Crawford, Jr., her brothers: Jimmy Ray Crawford, Robert Crawford, and James Crawford, maternal grandparents: Floyd & Fannie Mae Dorsey, and paternal grandparents: Catherine & Ethel Crawford.

Kay leaves to cherish her memories; her husband of 45 years, Elder R. C. Emanuel of Palestine, her loving mother, Winnie Crawford of Tyler, TX., sons: Nikki Warren of Orlando, FL, and Nichael (Tracy) Emanuel of Spring, TX.; 3 daughters: Artimus (Catrina) Butler, Almika (Chuck) Pryor both of Houston, TX and CeCelia (Nehemiah) Douglas, TX. 11 grandchildren: Sircorra, Kateria, Alexis, Khadija, Niketra, Niyah, Nygzel, Nason, Cenia, and Elijah and 8 Great-Grandchildren; her siblings: Clement Crawford, Cathy Hooper, Victor Crawford, and Roberta (Al) Pace all of Tyler, TX.; her In-Laws: Anne Louise Williams, Laconie Emanuel, Ronald Emanuel, Goree Emanuel, Benjamin (Sandra) Emanuel, Johnny Ray Emanuel all of Houston,TX; Presiding Elder Lawrence (Gloria) Emanuel, Beverly Johnson, and Dorothy Emanuel of Waco, TX; Urita (Bobby Dale) Johnson of Oakwood, TX and Ruby Small of Dallas, TX., Godsons: Michael McElroy, Quentin Adams, and Chris Jones, Sam Milton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.