Bruce A. Emmons
July 8, 1949 – July 15, 2026

Bruce Allen Emmons, of Columbia, North Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Mr. Emmons is preceded in death by his wife, Frances Ann Belangia, a brother, John Roger Emmons, his parents Cecil Hall Emmons and Eunice Christine Emmons Goodrich, paternal grandparents, Jesse and Allic Merild Hall Emmons McAnespie, and maternal grandparents Robert Lee and Effie Cole Francis.

He is survived by his son, Nathan Belangia Emmons, currently serving in the US Navy. Nephews, Lee and Erin, and niece, Lauren Emmons of KY, maternal aunts, Mary Rochelle Francis (Wallace) Willard and Nona Faye Francis Knight.

Born in Memphis, TN, on July 8, 1949, Bruce graduated from Southside High School in 1967. In 1971, he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Bruce was employed by Owen Lumber and Millwork in contract sales and worked for five years at the John Morrell Meat Packers as a meat inspector.

He began his Extension Service Career with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in 1978 as a livestock and 4-H Agent in Tyrrell County. Bruce received a Master of Agriculture in 1983 from North Carolina State University. In 2003, he successfully completed his courses and earned a Doctor of Education degree from North Carolina University.

After serving seventeen years in Tyrrell County, he accepted the position as Area Specialized Agent Information Management, serving twenty counties of northeastern North Carolina, and was located at the Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center.

Honorariums which Bruce received are: Honorary State FFA Degree, the North Carolina Future Farmers of America Association, 2001; Distinguished Service Award, National Association of County Agriculture Agents; 1994; The Chester D. Black Professional Improvement Scholarship from the North Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Agents, 1993; elected District Vice Director and District Director of the North Carolina Association of County Agriculture Agents, a voting delegate to National meeting, 1987; Extension Executive Development Institute, 1990; received the Ray H. Woodard Scholarship for Extension  Agents with Swine responsibilities, 1983; elected District View-Director and District Director of the North Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Agents, voting delegate to the National meeting, 1980.

Active in his community, he served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician, and after thirty years of service, he retired as a volunteer firefighter from the Columbia Station of the Tyrrell Volunteer Fire Department.

Bruce enjoyed reading, genealogy, and travel. He loved old things, westerns, family, animals, agriculture, and enjoyed a sense of belonging to all good things.

Services are scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church, where Bruce was a member. Internment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Serving as pallbearers are Judson Willard, Johnny Spencer, Steven Swain, James Simmons, Trey Liverman, and Daniel Spruill. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Thomas Everett, Lewis Smith, William Nixon, and Jon Oliver.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital or to a charity of your choice.

Services are under the direction of Bryan Funeral Service of Columbia.

"Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His Holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for Life; Weeping may endure for the night. But joy comes in the morning. Psalms 30: 4-5