1910
Ernestine
2015
Ernestine Neely
September 28, 1910 — October 1, 2015
Ernestine Ramsey Neely died peacefully on October 1, 2015 at the age of 105. She had been a resident of Canterbury Court in Harlingen for the past nine years. Ernestine was born in Plain Dealing, Louisiana on September 28, 1910, to Ernest Linwood Ramsey and Mississippi Purcell Ramsey. The family moved to San Benito in 1926 where Ernestine graduated from San Benito High School. After graduation, she continued her education at Kidd Key College and Conservatory of Music in Sherman, TX; Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX; and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education from Texas A & I University at Kingsville. On August 1, 1937, she married Sidney V. Neely at the First United Methodist Church of San Benito.
Ernestine was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of San Benito for 89 years. She served on numerous committees and boards of the church. She was Superintendent of the Intermediate Department of the Sunday School and historian of the church. She also served as president of the United Methodist Women and as district secretary for the organization. Ernestine was chairman of the 60th anniversary celebration of the building of the church. She was the church organist for 25 years and was chairman of the committee for the renovation of the Kilgen Pipe Organ. In 1989, the organ expansion and renovation was dedicated in her name. She was also honored by the church as Lay Person of the Year in 1996.
Active in community organizations, Ernestine was a member of the San Benito Music Club, served as president of Chapter L, P.E.O. Sisterhood and vice president of Colonia Dames of the 17th Century. She was a member of the Lt. Thomas Barlow Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1989, she was named Woman of the Year by the Zonta Club.
As an avid gardener, Ernestine took great pride in growing roses and enjoyed sharing the blooms with others. She was awarded the Yard of the Year in 1978 and the Home of the Year in 1987. Both were presented by the San Benito Chamber of Commerce.
Ernestine was a teacher in the San Benito CISD for 35 years. She was an elementary classroom teacher and also taught music for several years. After her retirement, many of her former students sought her out to tell her how she had influenced their lives.
Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Sidney V. Neely. She is survived by her daughters Mary Alice McBrayer (Jack) of Brevard, NC, and Martha Neely Cloys of Greenville, SC; her grandchildren Angie Dulweber (John) of Charlotte, NC, Grant Cloys (Pam) of Greenville, SC, Christy Coman (Tim) of Dallas, TX, Mike Cloys (B.J.) of Greenville, SC, and Stephen Allgood of Longview, TX; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Visitation will be held at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home on Sunday, October 4, from 4-6 pm. Private burial will be held at Mont Meta Memorial Park prior to the service. A celebration of Ernestine’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church of San Benito at 2 pm on Monday, October 5. The services will be led by The Rev. Melissa Nelson, The Rev. Dr. John Teer, and The Rev. Dr. Stephen Westfall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Kilgen Organ Fund at the First United Methodist Church of San Benito or the Sidney V. Neely Mathematics Scholarship Fund at the University of Texas RGV at Brownsville.
Ernestine was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of San Benito for 89 years. She served on numerous committees and boards of the church. She was Superintendent of the Intermediate Department of the Sunday School and historian of the church. She also served as president of the United Methodist Women and as district secretary for the organization. Ernestine was chairman of the 60th anniversary celebration of the building of the church. She was the church organist for 25 years and was chairman of the committee for the renovation of the Kilgen Pipe Organ. In 1989, the organ expansion and renovation was dedicated in her name. She was also honored by the church as Lay Person of the Year in 1996.
Active in community organizations, Ernestine was a member of the San Benito Music Club, served as president of Chapter L, P.E.O. Sisterhood and vice president of Colonia Dames of the 17th Century. She was a member of the Lt. Thomas Barlow Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1989, she was named Woman of the Year by the Zonta Club.
As an avid gardener, Ernestine took great pride in growing roses and enjoyed sharing the blooms with others. She was awarded the Yard of the Year in 1978 and the Home of the Year in 1987. Both were presented by the San Benito Chamber of Commerce.
Ernestine was a teacher in the San Benito CISD for 35 years. She was an elementary classroom teacher and also taught music for several years. After her retirement, many of her former students sought her out to tell her how she had influenced their lives.
Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Sidney V. Neely. She is survived by her daughters Mary Alice McBrayer (Jack) of Brevard, NC, and Martha Neely Cloys of Greenville, SC; her grandchildren Angie Dulweber (John) of Charlotte, NC, Grant Cloys (Pam) of Greenville, SC, Christy Coman (Tim) of Dallas, TX, Mike Cloys (B.J.) of Greenville, SC, and Stephen Allgood of Longview, TX; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Visitation will be held at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home on Sunday, October 4, from 4-6 pm. Private burial will be held at Mont Meta Memorial Park prior to the service. A celebration of Ernestine’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church of San Benito at 2 pm on Monday, October 5. The services will be led by The Rev. Melissa Nelson, The Rev. Dr. John Teer, and The Rev. Dr. Stephen Westfall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Kilgen Organ Fund at the First United Methodist Church of San Benito or the Sidney V. Neely Mathematics Scholarship Fund at the University of Texas RGV at Brownsville.
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