Elizabeth Meigs Neel

Mrs. Elizabeth Meigs Neel, age 99, a life long resident of the DeFuniak Springs area passed away peacefully at the family residence on Circle Drive. the place she had called home for well over a half a century, Friday morning, July 9, 2015. She was born March 6, 1916 in Mossy Head, the daughter of John Joseph Meigs and Pattie Knapp Meigs. Educated in Walton County Schools she was a part of the graduating class of 1934. She completed her first year of college at Palmer College and then attended Florida State College for Women graduating with a degree in English, Speech and Drama. She accepted her first teaching assignment in Bethlehem but after that first year she transferred to the Walton County Board of Education where she taught from 1949 until her retirement in 1982. Over the course of those thirty three years of teaching she touched countless lives as she shared her values of living, educating not only the mind, but the spirit of her students, as she led by moral example. Her own children remember her as mom, homemaker, and an excellent cook. As the years progressed Elizabeth became active in civic works, especially those associated with the performing arts. Very artistically inclined herself, she instructed students of all ages in performances in local schools, churches and Chautauqua events. She was an avid reader, a Sunday School teacher in her local church where she was a faithful member until ill health prevailed. She had a love of nature especially of flowers and enjoyed sitting on her front porch, there on Circle Drive, with her panoramic view of the lake. She equally loved the beach and the summers she spent there with her children and grandchildren. Her footprints are woven into the fabric of Walton County, its’ former students, its’ heritage, its’ culture and more locally in First United Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs. She is predeceased by her parents and her husband, John Neel.

Among survivors are her children, John Meigs Neel and wife Barbara. Patricia Neel Pender and husband Bowles and David Ray Neel and wife Kathy. Her six grandsons, John Christopher and wife Evelyne, David Meigs, James Bowles and wife Anne, John Neel and wife Keely, David Scott and wife Adrienne and Jeffrey Wallace. Six great grandchildren also survive.

The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Mrs. Neel’s devoted caregivers, Stacey Bailey, Iris Harding, Pearl Love and Roma Baker. A very special thanks to JW Adkison and his daughter Shirley for their ongoing love and support to all of the Neel family over the years.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Elizabeth Neel’s memory to the Back-To-School Supplies Fund of First United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 9, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435-0009. The family will receive friends and relatives Wednesday, July 15, 2015 from 1:30 until 2:00 P.M. in Burton Chapel of First United Methodist Church, 88 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, Florida with the funeral beginning at 2:00 P.M. in Burton Chapel with Dr. Larry Teasley officiating.