Helen Mae Neely

Helen Mae Neely, age 95, of French Creek, WV, died Saturday, November 22, 2014, at the home of her daughter. She was born on September 27, 1919, in Blue Creek, WV, a daughter of the late Benjamin A. and Josie Hayes Melton. Due to the early death of her parents, she was raised by her uncle and aunt Mont C. and Allie Hayes Melton, who also preceded her in death. Her teenage years were spent in residence at the WV Wildlife Center/Game Farm at French Creek, where her uncle Mont C. Melton was the Superintendent during the 1930s and 1940s. On September 9, 1947, she was united in marriage to Howard K. Neely, who preceded her in death on February 25, 2001. She is survived by one daughter Joyce K. Harlow of French Creek; one son Kenneth L. and wife Rose Neely of French Creek; two grandchildren: David Neely and wife Mandi and Kimberly Rohr and husband James, all of French Creek; seven great grandchildren: Darian Spurlock, Daniel Hardman, Emily Neely, Jon Neely, Shaelyn Posey, Katherine Neely, and Hunter Rohr; one sister Alene “Ene” Slater of Santa Clarita, CA; and special nephew and niece: Michael E. Walker and Brenda Jo Ritchie. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one granddaughter Jacquelyn Harlow DeBarr and five brothers and five sisters. Mrs. Neely was a 1939 graduate of Buckhannon High School and a graduate of St. Francis School of Nursing. She was a member of the French Creek DAV Ladies’ Auxiliary and was a Baptist by faith. She enjoyed gardening and canning and will be remembered as a special loving mother and grandmother. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 24, 2014, from 4-7:00 PM, at the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel. The funeral will be held at the funeral chapel on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at 1:00 PM, with the Rev. Mitchell Griffin, the Rev. Robert F. Heavner, and the Rev. Dr. Joseph Shreve officiating. Interment will follow in the Waterloo Cemetery. The family would like to especially thank the staff of People’s Hospice of the United Hospital Center and suggest in lieu of flowers, donations be made to People’s Hospice at 327 Medical Park Drive, Bridgeport, WV 26330.

Helen Mae Neely

September 27, 1919 - November 22, 2014