Lewise Neely

Lewise Ragan Neely, formerly of Greenwood, MS, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Water Valley, MS at the Yalobusha Nursing Home.  She was born on March 19, 1930, in Corinth, MS to Lewis and Lillian Ragan. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years, Ralph Neely.   She is also preceded in death by her brother, Lowell Ragan of Birmingham, and her nephew Stan Ragan of Birmingham.  She is survived by her son Ralph Neely, Jr. (Pat) of Memphis, TN, her daughter Deanne Hill of Oxford, 3 grandchildren, Chris Hill of Atlanta, Madelyn Hill of Oxford, Kevin Hill of Oxford, her niece Selena Nause (Charles, Jr.) of Greenwood, and their sons, Charles, III of San Diego, CA and Taylor of Bend, Oregon.     

Growing up in Corinth, Lewise loved going to Pickwick Lake with friends and family, a tradition that she continued in married life with her family. It was no surprise that she and Ralph celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there!  She graduated from Mississippi College for Women, where she was president of the Student Government Association, Miss MSCW, and a member of the Hall of Fame. She received two degrees and graduated with highest honors.  In later years, she served as president of the MSCW Alumnae Association, and she was proud to be honored with the college’s Distinguished Alumnae Award.  

She began teaching school in Greenwood where she met Ralph Neely, who had just begun practicing accounting in his father’s CPA firm, and they married in 1952. She officially became a ‘Delta’ girl.   After the birth of her children, she chose to stay home with them.  She was a very accomplished ‘house manager’, gardener, cook, and entertained frequently and beautifully in her home on the Tallahatchie River.  Her rose garden was one of her great joys.  Lewise also loved being involved with her children and their activities. 

A lifelong Methodist, she was very committed to the life of the First Methodist church in Greenwood, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and played piano for various functions.   She was heavily involved with Explorer’s Bible Study, an international interdenominational ministry, serving as a teacher and leader for many years.  Other civic organizations that she enjoyed were Matinee Musicale, Friends of The Museum of the Mississippi Delta, their supper club, and the literacy program that she co-founded. 

When Ralph retired, they relocated to Big Canoe, GA in the mountains of North Georgia, so they could be close to grandchildren. Lewise continued her involvement in the work of the church, by joining the choir, playing the piano, volunteering for various committees and serving as the chairperson of the Chapel Guild.  Lewise and Ralph enjoyed being ‘on the go’, and they traveled extensively.  They loved mountain life for 12 years until she suffered a stroke, and they moved back to Mississippi, living in Oxford.  There they continued their enjoyment of their grandchildren.

The family is extremely grateful to Kindred Hospice, the staff at Yalobusha Nursing Home, and her special caretakers at home for the loving care that they provided. 

Services will be held on July 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Delta Funeral Home.  Visitation is from 10-11 prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to Greenwood First United Methodist Church, 310 Washington Street, Greenwood, MS  38930 and Christian World MIssions, Box 985, Starkville, MS  39760, or to the donors’ favorite charity.

Blessed are those who die in the Lord.  

Greenwood Delta Funeral Home (www.greenwooddeltafh.com) is in charge of arrangements

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