The Funeral Dress

A Novel

By: Susan Gregg Gilmore

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

A deeply touching Southern story filled with struggle and hope. Emmalee Bullard and her new baby are on their own. Or so she thinks, until Leona Lane, the older seamstress who sat by her side at the local shirt factory where both women worked as collar makers, insists Emmalee come and live with her. Just as Emmalee prepares to escape her hardscrabble life in Red Chert holler, Leona dies tragically. Grief-stricken, Emmalee decides she'll make Leona's burying dress, but there are plenty of people who don't think the unmarried Emmalee should design a dress for a Christian woman - or care for a child on her own. But with every stitch, Emmalee struggles to do what is right for her daughter and to honor Leona the best way she can, finding unlikely support among an indomitable group of seamstresses and the town's funeral director.

In a moving tale exploring Southern spirit and camaraderie among working women, a young mother will compel a town to become a community.

©2013 Susan Gregg Gilmore (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Touches the Heart

Although the circumstances in this novel are grim at times, there are characters to cheer for. Hope drives this novel — as does quality character development.

Loved it!

Loved it! I can't get the characters out of my head I need more 🤗🤗

A heart warming story

Made me cry and made me think. Most of all made me remember the poverty and heart break of my youth.

Excellent Narrator

Simple heart story. Stand up and do honorable work despite thought stuff in your up bringing .

Emma Lee’s tenacity

Loved this story mostly because it attests to the belief that no matter what your upbringing you have choices to better your life and the future. I especially liked the show of support for the main character by unsuspecting others. The darling baby was the icing on the cake!