Margie Lynn Hardy Neely

September 30, 1933 - August 26, 2018

Margie Lynn Hardy Neely, 84, of Madisonville, TX; passed away on Sunday; August 26, 2018 at her home in Madisonville. A celebration of her life is scheduled for 1pm on Thursday; August 30, 2018 at The First United Methodist Church in Madisonville with Rev. Jim Jackson officiating. The burial will immediately follow at Madisonville City Cemetery. The visitation will be from 5-7pm on Wednesday; August 29th at Day Funeral Home Chapel in Madisonville. Lynn was born on September 30, 1933 in Huntsville, TX to Margie (Crawford) Hardy and Rayford Lacey Hardy and graduated Salutatorian from Madisonville High School in 1950. She received an Associate Degree from Stephens College in 1952, a Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Texas in 1954, and a Master of Education Degree from Sam Houston State University as a honor graduate in 1956. Lynn married her high school sweetheart, Cecil Nowlin Neely on April 26, 1958 and they began a life in the military that encompassed 28 years with 26 moves. She was the epitome of the Army wife and embraced every aspect of the lifestyle. Lynn loved being involved in the community and was a member of the following organizations: The Daughters of the American Revolution, The Retired Teachers Association, The Madison County Chamber of Commerce, The Madison County Historical Commission, The Madisonville Sidewalk Cattlemen’s Association, The Board of Trustees for the First United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Trinity River Authority. She and her brother, John Hardy, have continued an endowment originally started by her mother which offers scholarships to well deserving students majoring in a discipline of the College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University. Lynn was a teacher for 20 years, retiring in 1998. At that time, she became active in many organizations that she dearly loved. She was a member of the Stitching Hens Quilting Group, the local art group, the bridge group at Oak Ridge Country Club, her ladies’ birthday group, and her Sunday school class at First United Methodist Church. Lynn touched the lives of many people in the community, always greeting them with a warm smile and a genuine interest in their lives. Lynn was affectionately known by her family and many in the community as “Mama Bear”. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed watching them participate in their activities. She loved that her great grandchildren have a passion for art and had just recently spent time teaching them how to paint. Lynn was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Cecil Nowlin Neely. She is survived by her brother, John Rayford Hardy and his wife, Toni; her children, Michael Lane Neely and his wife Karla, Russell Nowlin Neely and his wife Nancy, and Susan Lynn (Neely) Standley and her husband Jim; grandchildren, LeighAnn Fuchs and her husband Cody, Ryan Neely, J.D. Standley, Rusty Neely, Zachry Neely, Lexi Standley, and Jacob Neely; and her great grandchildren, Rustyn, Charli Jo and Wyatt Fuchs. Serving as pallbearers are her grandsons; Ryan Neely, J.D. Standley, Rusty Neely, Zachry Neely, Jacob Neely and Cody Fuchs. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The First United Methodist Church at 102 South McIver Street; Madisonville, TX 77864.