E. J. Underwood

1949 - 2025

E. J. Underwood, age 76, of Charlotte, NC died December 13, 2025. Mrs. Underwood was born in Cartersville, VA and named Emma Jean Lang by her parents, the late Hurvey W. Lang and the late, Janie Curran Lang.

A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Underwood will be held at Carmel Baptist Church on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. David Dixon officiating. The family will receive friends after the service.

Mrs. Underwood is survived by her son, Danny N. Whigham and his wife Amy Rosenblatt Whigham of Charlotte, NC, his daughter, Krystal, husband Anthony Rich, twins Katherine and Levi of New Iberia, LA., Thomas C. Underwood, wife Julia and children Samantha and Wyatt of Charlotte, NC, and Sonya U. Dusthimer and husband, Dean, daughter, Dr. Nikki Dusthimer Bevan and husband, Nate Bevan of Powell, Ohio. She is also survived by brother, Marvin N. Lang of Cartersville VA, his son, Douglas, her niece Tamara Brannan Glaser and husband Robert Glaser, children Hope Smith and Amy Crowell, and her three children and nephew Donald Lang. She is preceded in death by J. C. Underwood, Jr., her husband of 35 years, her sister, Barbara Brannan and her brother, James Lang.

Mrs. Underwood was active in Carmel Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher to kindergarteners for 28 years. She loved the Chinese ministry, taught ESL to Chinese families and attended Chinese Language School. She was active in her community. Over the years she was on the Board of Directors of Candlewyck Homeowners Association, Hospitality Chair of Women Business Owners, treasurer of Metrolina Business Council, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. She achieved the highest honor in 4-H, becoming an All Star. E. J. was associated with JC Penney Company for 16 years in Atlanta and Columbus, Ohio. She was a real estate broker and investor. She was the former owner of the PennySaver. She, her husband, and Jack Mullis owned Package Delivery Inc. She retired from Charlotte Rescue Mission after 30 years of ministry. In 2009 she was awarded the Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Charlotte Chapter of Fundraising Professionals. Her driving passion at the Mission was to expand the Mission by building new dorms for the men and women in the substance abuse recovery program. She lived to see her dream come true.

E. J. loved life and her family. She loved to read, travel, meet new people, volunteer, experience new ideas, and learn new things. God blessed her with a wonderful life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Charlotte Rescue Mission, 915 W. 1st St., Charlotte, NC 28202 in her memory. Ken Poe & Associates are in charge of her cremation arrangements.