Emily Bierschwale

Emily Joan Cammack Bierschwale, 92, of Junction passed from this life into the arms of her Heavenly Father on December 30, 2022, at her ranch home at Segovia.  Emily, and her husband Carlton, made that house a home for their entire marriage of 67 years until Carlton’s death in 2019.  Emily continued to live in her home until her death.

Emily was born on July 12, 1930 in Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas, to James King and Sarah Perry Cammack.  She was proud of her lineage running back to Emily Margaret Austin Bryan Perry, who was Stephen F. Austin’s sister.  Of her childhood, Emily related that they were poor but so was everyone else.  During and after the depression no one had any money and her family had no electricity or indoor plumbing.  Times were hard but the family was close-knit, with five siblings at home to create a wonderful early childhood.  Then, in 1935, Emily’s father developed cancer and died, leaving her mother to raise six children alone.  The family survived intact until her mother developed crippling arthritis in the early 1940’s and knew she could no longer take care of the younger children still at home.  This began a search for a situation which would keep the three younger children as a unit due to her Mother’s knowledge that she would be unable to care for them much longer.

In 1944, Emily, at age 14, and her two younger brothers, Bill and James, were accepted into the Presbyterian Children’s Home at Itasca (PCHAS).  This began Emily’s life-long appreciation for children and young people and especially those who had difficulties in life.

The three siblings all graduated high school from Itasca and remained active in the home operation and life until their deaths.  As she was graduating, J. Deveraux Smith and his wife visited the Children’s Home in search of a deserving young person to send to college.  Emily was the grateful recipient of their generosity and remained forever grateful for this benevolent act throughout her years.  The Smith’s had purchased a ranch in Kimble County in 1943 and wanted Emily to meet the son of the man they purchased the ranch from, Carlton Bierschwale.  Finally, after much persuasion, Emily, who was enrolled in North Texas State College in Denton, made the trip to Junction with the Smiths to meet Carlton.  Her diary reflects that to her surprise both she and Carlton were smitten and, upon her graduation in 1952 from NTSU, they were married in Itasca in the chapel at the Children’s Home.

Emily and Carlton moved into a small home on land that he owned at Segovia and, with one addition, this would be their home until Carlton’s death and the only home Emily would live in after her marriage.  She taught one Semester in Junction High School before beginning her family with the birth of Paul in 1953.  Joann followed in 1955 and Shirley in 1957, with Robert completing the family in 1963.

Mrs. B, as she was known by her students, taught Home Economics in Harper and Junction for 34 years after her children were born.  Many of her students have written letters of remembrance and thanks to Emily through the years and she cherished every one of them.  As reflected in the letters, she taught them to cook and sew, how to run a household and most of all she loved them and taught them about life.  She encouraged her students to participate in FHA activities and took members to State and National Conventions regularly.  In 1993, Emily became the first former resident of the PCHAS to be elected to the Board of Directors and was reelected in 1996.  Her love for her childhood home led to active participation in the Hill Country Youth Ranch, which had been given a ranch to be used for children by her cousin.  This property became the Big Springs Ranch for Children and Emily and her brothers supported both it and the PCHAS throughout their lives.  She never forgot the positive impact the Home situation had on her life and wanted it to continue to help children in the future.

Emily was active in her community, as a charter member of the Leti Study Club, member of the Texas and Southwest Cattlewomen, Delta Kappa Gamma, children’s literacy program where she taught children and adults to read and learn English as a second language, Meals on Wheels, Kids for Christ and others.  Through all of her activities, children were her focus as she was so appreciative of the help others had given her.

Anyone who knew her quickly understood that her heart and life were dominated by her love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ.  She was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Junction, which she joined upon her marriage to Carlton.  Through the years, she taught Sunday School, served several terms as a Ruling Elder and sang in the choir for many, many years, among other contributions.  Her entire life revolved around her church.

Survivors include Paul (Debbie), Joann (Ken) Hedrick, Shirley (Don) Hegwer and Robert (Carol Henderson).  Grandchildren include Aaron, Justin, Jack and Zackery Bierschwale, Elizabeth and Bradley Hegwer, along with 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, William (Bill) Cammack (Nancy) and sister-in-law, Margaret Bierschwale, along with numerous nieces and nephews who dearly loved her.  Among those who have waited for her arrival in Heaven are her husband, Carlton, grandson Dustin Hegwer, Brothers Ed and James Cammack, and sisters Minerva, Sarah, Lucy, and Catherine and Brother-in-law Milton Bierschwale.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 3 from noon to 1:45 at the First Presbyterian Church in Junction, with services following at 2:00 P.M.  Burial will follow in the Junction Cemetery.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church in Junction.  Visitation will be held at 12:00 Noon, prior to services.  Interment will follow at Junction City Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (Cammack – Bierschwale Endowment) P.O. Box 140888, Austin, TX 78717-9981, First Presbyterian Church, Junction, Big Springs Ranch for Children Peterson Hospice, Kimble County Meals on Wheels, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kimble Funeral Home. (325) 446-3076