Lela Waterer Neal

Lela Waterer Neal died on January 4, 2023 at her home in Memphis, TN. She was 89 years old. She is survived by her four children: Mike (Ann) Neal, Jim (Connie) Neal, Bud (Debbie) Neal, and Debra (Paul) Herman, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Ben Carmichael Neal, Sr. He passed away November 9, 2022.

Mamie was always full of stories about her childhood in Tchula, Mississippi. She had such fond memories of growing up on Shotwell Plantation with parents that she adored and her dear siblings Mary, Buddy, and Willie Frank. Anyone who spent time with her knew the stories.

She graduated from Mississippi University for Women where she majored in physical education. It was while she was at MUW that she met her husband, Ben Carmichael Neal, Sr. They were married for 67 years.

During her lifetime, she worked at retail establishments and a communications company, but her most important job was raising her children. She enjoyed being their cub scout den mother, their seamstress, their greatest fan at the ballparks and concert halls, and definitely referee to some rowdy boys and later a daughter. Lela was a devoted wife. She was so proud of all of Ben’s accomplishments and she made sure that all knew about his awards, his accolades, church and volunteer service.

Mamie loved music, especially hymns. She sang in the church choir at Grace United Methodist Church. In her final years, there was always music, whether it was gathering around the piano to sing hymns or Christmas songs, listening to Mike play the saxophone, or just humming along to the easy listening music channel on the television. Her favorites were the hymns in the Cokesbury hymnal. She was a strong alto, even in her final days.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, Denita Jones and Deaven Jones, who cared for her and Pops with genuine love and kindness.

A graveside service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in Carrollton, MS on Friday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m.