Emma Faye (Wright) Gary

A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. Please join us in celebrating the life of Emma Faye Wright Gary of Gadsden,  who traded time for eternity on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the age of 75.   Please keep her family, friends and former GPD family in your thoughts and prayers.

Emma Faye Wright was born to the parents of Lola Lovelady Wright and Tommie Wright, Sr. on January 19, 1949.  At an early age, she accepted Christ and maintained her Christian faith until she fell asleep in death on September 18, 2024. 

As a young child, Faye always displayed a beautiful smile and loved to dance. During her teen years she developed a passion for social justice and became a staunch advocate for the Civil Rights Movement.    
Faye had an active voice in the Civil Rights movement for many years.  It was very common for Faye and her mother to open their home to Civil Rights leaders, who came to Gadsden to participate in the  “Movement.”  She attended the 1963 March on Washington and participated in many local Sit-ins and protests in downtown Gadsden.

After a short stint with Bell South Faye joined the Gadsden Police Department where she made history as the first female detective, the first Black female lieutenant, and the only female to walk a beat in the City of Gadsden. She retired from the Department in 2013 after serving the community for 37 years.  During her tenure, the community lovingly gave her the nickname “Honey West” after a 1960’s television show.  Faye even had the facial mole that was the trademark of the television star. 

Faye’s mother often told the story of waiting for Faye to arrive home from school, only to get a phone call from the police department that Faye had been placed in jail for participating in a sit-in.  But Faye told an even more impressive story when she spoke of having to work with some of the same officers who had earlier arrested her.

Over the years Faye has made an impact on many lives. She was a mother figure and friend to many. She was the 2019 honoree of the Humanity Tied In A Single Garment of Destiny program. She was honored as a Gadsden Hero in 2024 at Abundant Life Church.

Faye is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Gary;  her son, Cordarryl Gary; her father, Tommie Wright, Sr.; her mother, Lola Wright; sister, Deloris Hester; brothers, Tommie Wright, Jr., and Jimmy Wright. 

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her daughter and son Stacey Gary, and Tracy (Angelica) Gary; sisters, Jacqueline Lewis and Irma Deramus; grandchildren, Robin Mosley, Tracy Jones, Savannah Harvey, Jacob Davis, Cordarryl Gary, Domonique Harden, Brittney Fikes, Latayja Gary, Jamaica Gary, Brandi Williams, Destiny Gary, Hope Gary, Trevon Gary, and Diamond Gary; special cousin, Patricia (Danny) Kimble; special friends, Alice Goggins, Rammie Lee Whittaker, and Teresa Howard Garmon, and a host of many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and former co-workers of the Gadsden Police Department.

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