Betty Ogan Neely

Betty Jean Ogan Neely, born April 8, 1937, went to heaven July 15, 2024. She accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior at age 12 and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Powell for over 55 years, during which time she taught in the College and Career class, the toddler departments and the Willing Workers class. She also volunteered in the family life center, the food pantry, First Baptist Academy, VBS, and was a leader in AWANA’s for over 10 years. She loved the Lord, her family, her friends and all people. Betty was an excellent student, graduating at the top of her 1955 Claiborne County class, where she was also a much heralded basketball player. She retired from the Social Security Administration after 32 years. She always loved watching sporting events, especially any game involving a family member and UT mens basketball games. Her rendition of the firecracker cheer is legendary in our family. Those who knew Betty, knew she was a prayer warrior and hard worker, who took great pride in her children, grands, great-grands and was happy to tell you about them if given half a chance. Her determination and desire to succeed were evident right until she was called home. 

Preceded in death by parents, Bill Ogan and Della Lou Wright Ogan; husband, Gerald B. Neely; infant daughter, Benita Kaye; infant son, Gregory Todd; infant sister, Lois America; loving sister, Bonnie Crisp Lauthner (Jack); loving brothers, Jay Ogan (Ruth), John Ogan, Lewis Ogan (Arneda); and twin brother, Bob Ogan. Survived by son, Gerry Neely (Cindy); daughters, Terri Thrower (Bill), Micki Milligan (Jim), Debbi Cole (Fred); grandchildren, Tiffany Carpenter (Drew), Brandon Thrower, Megan Jones (Brad), Erika Courtney (Andy), Michael Milligan (Shelly), Gera Stooksbury (Jason), Derek Milligan (Samantha), Trey Sewell (Rachael), Emily Cole (Blake), Tyler Cole (Kathrin), Lucy Cole; great-grandchildren, James, Neely, Raleigh, Ellis, Waylon, Carson, Anderson, Kinsley, Sophie, Kason, Gabby, Izzie, Teagan, Sadie, Declyn, Paxton, Coen, Bode, Liam, Cooper and Boston; sisters-in-law, Barbara Ogan, Edith Ogan, Jackie Neely, Dorothy Neely, Wilma Heath, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Family will receive friends 5:00-7:00pm Thursday, July 18, 2024, at First Baptist Church Powell with service to follow at 7:00pm, Pastor Tim McGhee and Pastor Steve Ross officiating. Family and friends will meet at 10:15am Friday, July 19, 2024, at Mynatt Funeral Home, Powell Chapel and proceed to Glenwood Baptist Church Cemetery for an 11:00am interment. Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mynattfh.com