Emmer Lou Garrett was born on November 9, 1930, to the late RV and Alma Garrett. She was the 5th of six children, four of which preceded her in death. She spent her early school years in Brookland, Texas where she was known for her basketball skills.

After school she work various housekeeping job in Jasper. One her employers noticed her spunk and style and offered an opportunity to work at an exclusive clothing boutique, The Model, until they closed than Margret's, becoming the first lady of color to work in a downtown store in Jasper. She worked at Margret's until she retired. After retirement she started making tea cakes, she became known as the tea cake lady and had a successful at home baking business, until her health would not allow her to continue.

She married the late Oneal Tukes Sr. in 1949 and bore him nine children. Oneal, Caster "Bo", Lavel (Betty), Athedra, James, Gladys (Bryce) Ronald (Felicia) Valerie (Rodney) DeShun.

She leaves behind to morn her passing a Sister Gloria Haywood, all nine of her kids, and an entire host of grandchildren, great grands and four great great grands, which she was super proud to tell anyone who would listen.