Betty Lou McNeely
Betty Lou McNeely, 90, of Anna, died at 6:20 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, at Union County Hospital in Anna.
She was born on Feb. 15, 1928, in Herrin, the daughter of Omer “Duck” and Velma Audrey Willis Yates.
She married Earl Chester McNeely on Sept. 26, 1947. He preceded her in death on Feb. 27, 2008.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Anna. She loved working at the Vacation Bible School each summer until Earl’s retirement. Arts and crafts for levels kindergarten through 1st grade were her favorites, since she was an avid artist and quite the painter.
She loved children. Her smile and pleasant personality were just her nature.
After Earl retired, they ventured out in the RV, traveling in the western United States. This was where she started her Indian doll collection. They traveled all over the United States, always with her dogs, all called Dede.
All who knew her knew that she loved her dogs and horses. Raised on a farm, she had a love of animals and could (and often would) tell many stories of her life on a farm. Alzheimer’s took her memories of family and friends, but never her memories of the farm.
Survivors included her daughter, Martha “Marty” (Darrell) Crimmins of Carrollton, Texas; a son, Jeffrey (Chong) McNeely of Bossier City, La.; five grandchildren, Blaine (Kelley) Crimmins of Frisco, Texas, Darren Crimmins of Lewisville, Texas, Kelly Swain of Carrollton, Texas, Thomas (Judy) McNeely of Sugar Land, Texas, and Olivia (Darren) McNeely-Wright of Travis Air Force Base, Calif.; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, a son, Michael A. McNeely; and a sister, Mavis Norris.
Cremation will be accorded. Graveside inurnment will take place at a later date at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy.
Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church of Anna.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.
To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.