Margaret Ruth (Torian) Emerson, of Little Rock, Arkansas, departed this life on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born January 14, 1928, in Newport, Arkansas, the daughter of Mayson (Neal) and Robert D. Torian.
Ruth graduated in 1945 as Valedictorian of her class in Newport, then graduated in 1949 from the University of Arkansas with a Business Administration Degree. A few months later, Ruth married William Emerson, Jr. In 1953, they took over the operation of her father’s farm.
While living in Newport, she was active in tennis, playing at the Newport Country Club, where she later served as Treasurer. She was President of the Literary Council, President of the Jackson County Historical Society, and a member and volunteer at First United Methodist Church.
After moving to Little Rock, she continued her interest in tennis, served as a member and treasurer of the Fine Arts Club, and was a member of the Bowen-Cabe Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two older brothers, William A. Torian, killed in a school bus accident, and David Neal Torian, killed in WWII; and her husband, William Emerson, Jr.
A Celebration of Life for Ruth will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, at the First United Methodist Church Chapel, located at 723 Center Street, Little Rock. She will then be buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery at Newport, next to her husband.
Ruth requested that memorials be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
