Emily C. Douthat

Emily Christenberry Douthat, 75, died peacefully at her home on August 6, 2026, surrounded by her family. 

Born September 19, 1950, in Durham, NC, to the late Reverend Daniel Keener and Mary Ellen Christenberry, Emily was raised in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. She earned a B.A. in Sociology from Duke University in 1972 and married James “Jim” Douthat that same year. Together, they welcomed their son, Mark, in 1979 and daughter, Anna, in 1986. 

Emily began her professional career as Director of Blood Donor Recruitment for the American Red Cross in Durham. She later worked as a social worker at the Durham VA Medical Center.  

Emily gave generously of her time and attention to Lycoming College, serving alongside Jim during his twenty-four-year tenure as president. Deeply invested in the college and its students, she was a passionate supporter of the liberal arts and formed lasting relationships with generations of students, faculty, and staff. 

Emily had a gift for bringing people together and a genuine interest in people from different backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life. She believed deeply in education, the arts and music, friendship, and community.  

Above all, Emily was devoted to her family. She poured herself into the dreams and interests of those she loved, championing their choices and remaining a steadfast advocate throughout their lives. Her loyalty and the force of her love were unmistakable. 

Despite the challenges of Parkinson’s disease, her intelligence, determination, and devotion to those she loved endured. 

She is survived by her husband of fifty-three years, Jim Douthat; her children, Mark Douthat and Anna Stockman; her son-in-law, Manny Stockman; and her three beautiful, smart, kind granddaughters, Evelyn Douthat, Charlotte Stockman, and Emily Stockman. She is also survived by her siblings, Dan (Jenny Upton) Christenberry, Dee Christenberry, Lamar (Rebecca) Christenberry, Rebecca Ellen Christenberry, Mary (G.K. Lott) Christenberry-Lott, Paul (Amy) Christenberry, Sam Christenberry, and Steve Christenberry, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.  

A celebration of Emily’s life will be held Saturday, September 19, at 1:30 p.m. in Clarke Chapel at Lycoming College, followed by a reception.  

Those wishing to honor Emily’s memory may consider contributing to the Emily Christenberry Douthat Endowed Student Scholarship at Lycoming College by contacting development@lycoming.edu or Lycoming College, College Advancement, One College Place, Williamsport, PA 17701.