Emma Dell Royalty Goodlett Waterfill
EMMA WATERFILL
Emma Dell Royalty Goodlett Waterfill, 77, loving wife of Darrell Wayne Waterfill, of Harrodsburg, passed away on April 11, 2026, after a brief illness.
Born June 30, 1948, in Mercer County, she was the third daughter of the late Rufus E. and Carra Mae Beasley Royalty.
As a young girl, she loved living on her family farm, playing in the creek and riding bikes up and down Bondville Road with her lifelong friends. Shortly after graduating from Mercer County High School, she became employed by South Central Bell (AT&T) as a telephone operator. She remained with the company for 34 years. She served in various managerial capacities, ending her career as a property manager, where she was responsible for the oversight of buildings, facilities, construction projects and maintenance. One of the most notable recognitions she received from the company was being selected for the cover of the telephone directory for the state of Kentucky in 1991-1992. She treasured her beautiful company service necklace, wearing it often. Upon retirement she embraced her love of politics, was a candidate for Mercer County Judge-Executive, and served many years as a Constitutional Officer for the Kentucky State Senate.
After the passing of her parents, Emma relocated back to the family farm where she grew up. She renovated the home and successfully placed the Floyd Gritton House on the historical registry. Through the Rerun adoption and retraining program, she adopted and spoiled retired thoroughbred race horses, earning her Adopter of the Year in 2001.
From a young age, Emma played piano. She often played in church and taught piano to youngsters. Throughout her life she displayed her music talents by playing various stringed instruments, including upright bass, mandolin, guitar and banjo. She was a member of numerous bands including Bluegrass Inc., Courthouse Square and Royal Blue. Her musical abilities were further enriched by her remarkable lead and harmony vocals. During her musical days, she was featured at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Mt. Vernon, Aunt Maudie’s in Cincinnati, Ohio, and toured with the Grand Ole Opry Road Show. She often performed at Chimney Rock Campground events, and Kentucky State Senate events and gatherings. She was featured on numerous recording projects, often performing many original songs she wrote.
Throughout her life, Emma attended Salvisa Baptist Church, Church of the Ascension in Frankfort, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Harrodsburg, where she served as vestry member, Junior Warden and community meal volunteer, and Mayo Christian Church in Harrodsburg.
Emma loved her family, often caring for nieces and nephews as if they were her own. She was host mother for two beautiful students from Spain, and she had a special bond with her daughters, Karen and Leaann, grandson Phillip, and nephew Chris.
After the passing of her husband, Frank, Emma was blessed to find love again with Darrell. While they knew each other their whole lives, their romance was kindled in 2019. The two married on Thanksgiving Day, 2022. She lived the best years of her life with Darrell, who pampered her and made her queen of his world. They enjoyed laughing, talking together and watching their favorite evening shows with their dogs Squirt and Gizzy. She loved homemaking, cooking, planning and spending quiet days on the Waterfill Beef Cattle Farm with her dearest sweetheart.
She is survived by her husband, Darrell, daughter Karen (Goodlett) Maxfield, son-in-law Richard Maxfield and grandson, Phillip Maxfield, all of Salvisa; step daughter, Leaann Waterfill of Harrodsburg; stepson David Waterfill of Versailles; sister Joyce Royalty (Carroll) Morris of New Carlisle, Ohio; sister Beverly Royalty (Don) Hockersmith of Lawrenceburg; and numerous nieces and nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Kisle Royalty; husband Frank Goodlett; partner Ed Spencer; and grandsons, Robert Lewis and Francis Kyle Maxfield.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, at Clark Legacy Center on Versailles Road in Frankfort, with Rev. Ben Wulpi from St. Andrew’s Anglican Church officiating. Celebration of life gathering of family and friends will follow until 6 p.m.
Bluegrass musician friends are invited to bring and play their instruments in honor and celebration of Emma.
A private family committal service at the Gritton Evans Family Cemetery on Royal Acres Farm, will be scheduled in the future.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Academy of Lawrenceburg or to Avenues Clinic for Women in Frankfort.
paid obit
