Emerson Bernard Tait

Emerson Bernard Tait was known as “Lank” to family, friends, and all those who made his acquaintance. He was born on March 1, 1941, to the late Harvey Bernard and Flossie (Lee) Tait in Burnt Corn, Alabama, where he grew up and remained until adulthood when he relocated to Pascagoula, Mississippi. Lank passed away peacefully on July 15, 2023, at his home in Moss Point, Mississippi, among family members.

Lank received his formative education in the Monroe County school system. After relocating to the Gulf Coast area in the early 60s, he established permanent residency and became well-known to many because of his charming and welcoming personality. Although Lank had numerous qualities that he will be long remembered for, his signature was his style of dressing. He loved caps! You rarely saw him without a cap or Kango cap on. He worked as a crane operator during his employment years. Upon retirement, he pursued his dream job to travel overseas as a merchant seaman. He returned home at the end of the overseas assignment to enjoy his final years of retirement with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey Bernard and Flossie (Lee) Tait; two sisters, Arnetta (Tait) Salters and Kathy (Tait) Banks; three brothers, George Tait, Talmadge Tait, and Alfred Tait; and maternal and paternal grandparents.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his six children, Gloria Tait of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Veronica Tait of Waco, Texas, Micheal Tait of Pensacola, Florida, Gregory (Angela) Simpson of Huntsville, Alabama, Catina Cunningham of Biloxi, Mississippi, and Valerie Dailey of Los Angeles, California; one sister, Mary Tait Stallworth of Pascagoula, Mississippi; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; special devoted friends, Mary Vice (who Lank referred to as “Mama”), Terry Vice (affectionately called “Smutt” by Lank), and Tracey Rankins-Chambers; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other friends.

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