Barbara Ann Emerson, 77 of Athens, passed away on Sunday, November 30th, 2025, at Limestone Health Facility. Mrs. Emerson was born on March 22nd, 1948, in Athens, to Alvin Thomas Swanner and Lula Clarice Vinson Swanner.
Mrs. Emerson is survived by her sister Joyce Swanner; children Angela Emerson, Christal Emerson, and Brent Emerson (Lindsey); grandchildren Kristin Pylant (Randall), Heather Miles (Nick), Hope Brady, Skylar Brady (Rebekah), Drake Collins, Dakota Holt (Brianna), Kylie Emerson, and Mya Emerson; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband James Rickman; sisters Catherine King and Eldean Phillips; and brothers Leroy Swanner and Gilbert Swanner.
Friends and family are invited to gathered to pay their respects at the visitation for Mrs. Emerson on Thursday, December 4th, 2025, from 12:00-1:45pm at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2:00pm, with Jeremy Meetze officiating. Mrs. Emerson will be laid to rest at Limestone Memorial Gardens, with Skylar Brady, Dakota Holt, Drake Collins, David Lawrence, Kevin Swanner, and Westin Pylant serving as pallbearers, and Brent Emerson as honorary pallbearer.
