Margie Vernelle Nealy was born to David and Etta Lou Blakney February 21, 1930 in Teague, Texas. She lived in Teague for twelve years before her family moved to Freeport Texas where her dad had a job with DOW chemical. She helped her mother run a boarding house there. Vernelle graduated from Freeport High School and worked at DOW Chemical. In 1952, she met the love of her life, Phillip Nealy and a year later they married. She loved meeting people and through Phil’s job with Southwestern Bell, they travelled and lived in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, New Jersey, St Louis and Topeka, Kansas. They had three children, Tobey, Brenda and Donna.

Vernelle was an excellent homemaker. She loved sewing, cooking, canning, gardening, exercising, painting and bible study. She was an excellent wife and a great mother and mother-in-law. She loved people and never met a stranger.
Vernelle accepted Jesus as her Savior at 8 years of age at a revival in Teague, Texas. Her favorite verse was John 3:16. She was strong in her faith and was faithful to instill this in her children.

Margie Vernelle Nealy went to be with Jesus Saturday, December 3, 2022. She was survived by her husband of 69 years, Phillip Lloyd Nealy, her three children, Tobey and Karen Nealy, Donna Gilmore and Brenda Dodgen, 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!” Prov 31:28,30