Elizabeth Frankie Nealy

Elizabeth Frankie Nealy, age 66 was called to her eternal home on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, surrounded by family. She was born September 29, 1955 in Mobile, AL to the union of John H. Nealy, Sr. and Audrey Dixon Nealy.

Elizabeth graduated from Davidson High School and the University of South of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy. After graduating, Elizabeth moved to New Orleans, LA, where she worked for the State of Louisiana in the Food Stamps Office and at Charity Hospital as a Recreational Therapist. Elizabeth moved to Houston, TX in 1988, where she continued as a Recreational Therapist at Michael E. DeBakey VA Hospital until her retirement in 2018.

There she was one of the coaches for “The Houston Blasters,” a veterans wheelchair team that regularly participated in the National Disabled Veterans Summer Games.

Elizabeth loved reading and writing and soon after arriving on the job at the hospital she created and became the editor of a newsletter for the Recreational Therapy Unit. She continued this love for writing by serving on the Veterans Creative Arts Festival National Committee from 1993 until her retirement. During her committee tenure she was the National Drama Chairperson, the Chairperson for the National Creative Writing competition and worked with the festival’s Sound Committee.

In 2000, Elizabeth was the recipient of the “Shirley Jefferies Memorial Award,” the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for the Department of Veterans Affairs, for her dedication to the Creative Arts Festival. After retiring, she continued to volunteer with the festival.

Above all and most importantly, Elizabeth loved the Lord. She was a dedicated family member of Brentwood Baptist Church of Houston, TX. She served in the ‘vineyard’ as Assistant Sunday School Director, Operations, Youth Division, Sunday School Secretary, Adult Department Director, Singles' Teacher, on of the founders of the Sunday School Equipping Institute, and participated in the National Christian Singles Conference.

Elizabeth is survived by four sisters, Sonja Nealy Saizan, Tydell Whitfield (Joseph) of New Orleans, LA; Gina Morris of Houston, TX; and Deirdre Nealy-Hamilton of Mobile, AL. A sister-in-law, Durinda Nealy. Five nephews, Torrance Nealy and Dalyn Morris of Houston, TX; Kendall Morris and Isaac Nealy of New Orleans, LA; Bradley Hamilton of Mobile, AL. Six nieces, Kortni Nealy, Tydell Thomas, Charlene Nealy, Kristen Collins of Houston, TX; and Duvonna Nealy and Jeanine Davis Nicholas of New Orleans, LA. She also leaves to cherish her memories special brother and sister friends Clarence Gray, Jennifer Lewis and Gloria Smith; and many great nephews, nieces, and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Mary; brother, John H., Jr.; and niece Megan Hamilton.

Dismissal and Interment will be Monday, November 22, 2021, 11 A.M., Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70122. Dismissal Officiant Rev. Ross M. Johnson, Jr., Senior Pastor, Tulane Memorial Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com