Emma Flanagan
Feb. 7, 1945 – June 19, 2026
Our beloved mother, Emma Lou Flanagan, passed away on June 19, 2026 surrounded by family and close friends. She was 81 years old.
Emma Lou Rowe was born in Wright City, Okla., on Feb. 7, 1945, to Amos “Leroy” Rowe and Jessie “Mae” Rowe. The family moved to Sweet Home, Oregon in 1946. Emma attended school in Sweet Home and graduated in 1963.
In November of ‘63 she married Thomas Keith Flanagan. They remained married until the time of her death.
Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Mae and Leroy Rowe, and her sister Joyce McKay. She is survived by husband Tom Flanagan, son Kevin Flanagan, daughters Kelly and Leslie Flanagan, brother Gary Rowe and Donald Rowe. She also leaves behind her cousin/ sister and closest friend Glenda Melcher, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Emma began driving school bus for the Sweet Home school district in 1974. She retired in 2000 after being involved in a rollover bus accident as a passenger collecting data for the transportation administration. The accident left her with a shoulder and back injury which plagued her for the rest of her life.
She genuinely cared for the children she was tasked with transporting and treasured the interaction with them. She often volunteered to drive for out of town sporting events.
Emma was a loving, caring mother to her own children but also became a “second” mother to Kevin, Kelly, and Leslie’s friends. A trait she carried through her entire life. The caring was also manifested in a love for animals. Her favorite charity was the Safe Harbor Humane Society. Donations to Safe Harbor, in memory of Emma, would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
A service for Emma Flanagan will be held at the Harvest Christian Center located on 4231 Long St, Sweet Home, OR 97386 at 1 P.M. followed by graveside services at Gilliland Cemetery on June 30, 2026.