Emma Ilean Lemley, 99, of Russellville, formally of Fisher, passed on from this life on July 9, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Russellville. She was born on February 27, 1927 in Fisher to Charles Olen Garrett and Lucy Caroline Garrett.

She was educated in the Fisher Schools and attended the beauty school in Wynne in the 1960’s. She, with her beautician secrets, became very popular in the Fisher area and permed hair for all the women there. She was of Baptist faith.

She married Earnest Grover Mclllwain (Doc) at the age of 15 and, shortly afterwords, he was sent overseas to serve as a medic when the US troops landed on the Normandy beaches during World War II. But Emma became a widow at the age of 16 and was left with a one-year-old baby boy. She, with her son, moved to Little Rock to work on the ammunitions plant in Jacksonville, making bombs for the World War II effort. After the war she married Mack Carpenter and they also had a son. Later in life, she met Jack Lemley of Atkins. They married and she moved to Russellville to enjoy fishing and boating with him.

She is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Glayde Kemp; two brothers, George Garrett and Frankie Garrett; a son, Charles Earnest Mclllwain Sr.; and her husbands.

She is survived by a son, Michael Carpenter (Sharon) of Salem; one daughter in law, Judy Mclllwain of Russellville; five grandsons, Charles Mclllwain Jr (Donna) of Russellville, Frank Mclllwain (Nancy) of Frisco TX, Jonathan Mcllwain (Emily) of Russellville, Kevin Carpenter (Melanie) of Jonesboro, and Kole Carpenter (Amy) of Jonesboro; ten great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday July 14, 2026 in Fisher Cemetery st 10 with grandsons, Kevin Carpetner and Jonathan McIllwain officiating. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be her grandson. Visitation will take place on Monday, July 13, 2026 at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.