Emma Nicole Docman
December 15, 2007 – May 30, 2026
On May 30, 2026, the world lost a bright and beautiful soul when Emma Nicole Docman was called home far too soon. Emma was like a beam of sunlight. Her joy was endless, her laughter unmistakable, and her kindness unforgettable. She was happy—truly, deeply happy—and she shared that happiness with everyone around her.
Emma carried her faith quietly but fiercely, letting it guide her in the way she loved others—with stubbornness but also patience, and a heart that always made room for more. She loved poolside days, cheering others on, and time with family — always surrounded by the people she loved, laughter all around, and the brightness she brought wherever she went.
She had recently graduated from Lee’s Summit West High School, where she was a proud and active member of both AVID and STA, programs that reflected her dedication and her desire to lift others up. She was eagerly preparing to attend Northwest Missouri State in the fall to study Elementary Education. Emma’s natural gift for working with children was easy to see through her time at Resurrection Early Learning Center and Hawthorn Hill Elementary where she poured patience and care into every little one she met. She dreamed of becoming a teacher, a path that perfectly matched her ability to make others feel seen and loved.
Emma’s passing has left a profound ache in the hearts of those who loved her. Yet there is comfort in believing that her spirit is at peace, her light still shining—just from a place we cannot yet reach.
She is forever held in loving memory by her Sissy and Uncle P — Nicole Smith & James Preston Smith Jr.; her sibling‑cousins – Julia and Preston III; and her grandmothers, Debbie Shinkle and Rita Miller, along with Danielle Shinkle and Ty Docman. She joins in remembrance her maternal great‑grandfather and great‑grandmother, Joseph and Marie Garcia; her great‑grandmother, Lois; and her great‑aunt, Kathleen Garcia. Her paternal grandfather, David Shinkle — “Papa David” — was there to greet her with one of his big ol’ bear hugs, the kind that could warm an entire room.
A celebration of Emma’s life will be held at Journey Church International, 1601 Missouri 150, Lee’s Summit, MO 64082, on Tuesday, June 9. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, with services to follow at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Emma’s name to Imagination Library in honor of her love for children and her dream of shaping young lives.
Though she is no longer here in the way we wish she were, Emma’s love continues to shine down on all who loved her and all who were loved by her—a bright light that will never fade.
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obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441