Emma Otwell

Ingleside on the Bay, TX

Emma Jo Otwell

Emma Jo Otwell of Ingleside on the Bay passed away May 12, 2019 at home with her loving husband by her side,Terry Lyndell Otwell.  Emma Jo was to born to Julia Hrbacek  and Ernest William Pundt, May 21, 1943 in Floresville, Texas.

Emma Jo pursued her family before graduating and received her GED at Del Mar College.  She continued her education and received an Associates Degree and became the Engineering Document Control of Citgo Refinery.  She retired in 2012 after 35 years.

She was married to Terry Lyndell Otwell on October 30, 1960 and settled in Ingleside on the Bay, Texas.

She is survived by her loving husband, Terry Lyndell Otwell, her oldest son Terry Lyndell Otwell, Jr., (Mary of Ingleside Texas), Larry Randall Otwell (Angie of Clinton, Iowa), Julie Dianne Thorburn (Nigel James Thorburn of Missouri City, Texas).  She is survived by 13 grandchildren Kristen Turnbough, Rachael Haas, Terri Lynn Whitley, Bridgid Thorburn, Darren Otwell, Sarah Weiss, Devan Hoelscher, Paul Thorburn,  Jacquelynn Otwell, Leslie Charlesworth, Nicholas Otwell, Collin Baldeschwiler and Christian Otwell.  She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren Emma Hoelscher (named after her great-grandmother's namesake), Annistyn Whitley, Luke Charlesworth and Ella Hoelscher.  She is also survived by her brother Bryan Pundt, and her best friend, confidant and sister, Helen Jean Nelson.

Emma was a jack of all trades: she was an auto-mechanic with the skills learned at an early age from her dad (Ernie), a carpenter who loved to remodel and add-on to their homes and who made her children dumpster dive for carpet remains and created elaborate art designs that was admired by all. She made beautiful wedding cakes that tiered 6 levels including the engineering of cascading waterfalls.  Her children never wanted for clothes as she would make everything from suits for Terry and Larry to the twirling costumes for Julie, (not to mention winning awards for the costumes).  Her mother and she bowled on a league together which she was very proud of.  She was even a driving instructor Jewel and Harmon Devall.
Emma Jo would rescue the animals that were in need, from Bambi, birds, squirrels and an indoor Shetland Pony (Bright Eyes).  She loved to plan family vacations, camping was a regular event in the Otwell family and sometimes it was traveled by motorcycle. (she loved her 350 Honda). Traveling all over the U.S. she aimed to target them all.  During her retired years, she traveled to Scotland, England and Guatemala enjoying the culture.  She loved her cruises with her sons and ventured around the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Alaska.  She never met a stranger, many people she met became her life long friend (you know who you are).  Those who knew her well, you know how she arranged her trips to include a stop over at the casino to get her Black Jack fix.  Her sister and confidant, Helen Jean was often by her side cheering her on.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her reason for living as it was posted on a giant billboard over the Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Her husband was always by her side, saying yes Emma, what else can I get you, as she had him wrapped around her finger.  She was the love of his life.

Even though she came across as stubborn, she was still a firecracker and lit up the room.  One thing our mother would like you to know, that in life you must make Memories and She Did!
She is preceded in death by her parents Julia and Ernest Pundt, sisters Betty Lou Mitchell and Kathryn Cormier, her first great-grandchild Ayden Charlesworth who reunites with his great-grandmother on Mother's Day, May 12, 2019.  (can you imagine that reunion?)

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday 18, 2019 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Aransas Pass, TX.

A Celebration of Life will take place following the visitation on Saturday 18, 2019 at the Otwell  residence located at 502 Starlight Dr. Ingleside, TX 78362

All services will conclude after visitation.

Online condolences may be left at www.charliemarshallfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements entrusted to:

Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes and Crematory

2003 W. Wheeler Ave.

Aransas Pass, Texas 78336

361-758-3221