Emerson Allsworth

Emerson Lincoln Allsworth, Jr. passed away peacefully at John Knox Village on May 24, 2023. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend to so many, Emerson was a native-born South Floridian, born in Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1926 to the late Emerson Lincoln Allsworth of La Junta, Colorado and Virginia Fenn of Atlanta, Georgia. He was a graduate of Miami Senior High School and both the University of Miami undergraduate and Miami’s School of Law. He served two (2) years in the U.S. Navy in World War II and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve during the Korean Conflict. He came to Fort Lauderdale upon graduation from law school in 1952, and married the love of his life, Shirley McDowell of St. Louis, Missouri that same year. They were happily married for over 62 years until her death in 2015. He practiced law in Fort Lauderdale for over seventy (70) years and never retired. Over the years, Emerson helped various types of clients ranging from large corporations to the impoverished. His love and loyalty for his work, his law firm and his community were eclipsed only by his love for his family. He and Shirley traveled the world with their extended family, and he lived his life to its fullest.

Emerson received many awards for both his legislative work and community service. He served as Broward County prosecuting attorney (County Solicitor) from 1954-1958. He was the youngest state prosecutor at the time at the age of 28 and only two (2) years out of law school. He served eight (8) years in the Florida Legislature, having been elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Broward County from 1958-1966. Emerson served as a member of the 1967 Florida Constitution Revision Commission, having been appointed by Governor Haydon Burns. He also served for fifteen (15) years as a member of the University of Miami Board of Trustees. His community service included such positions as President of the University of Miami General Alumni Association and the Law Alumni Association; Chairman of the Broward County United Way Annual Campaign; Exalted Ruler of the Fort Lauderdale Elks Lodge; and President of United Cerebral Palsy in Broward County just to name a few.

Emerson is survived by his four (4) sons of whom he was so proud: Emerson Scott Allsworth and his wife, Kathy of Davie, FL; John Allsworth and his wife, Diane of Plantation, FL; Terrance Allsworth and his wife, Cathy of Longmont, CO; and Mark Allsworth and his wife, Mindy of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Along with his children, Emerson leaves behind six (6) grandchildren and two (2) great-grandchildren, several law partners and co-workers, and many good friends who will miss his wisdom, wit and sage advice. Emerson’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of all those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent “in memory of Emerson Allsworth” to the University of Miami at 6200 San Amaro Drive, Suite 300, Coral Gables, Florida 33146 (or via https://give.miami.edu/).

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