Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Neely

JOSHUA -- Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Neely, 88 of Joshua, a retired child-care giver for First Baptist Church of Joshua, died Sunday, May 4, 2008, in Crowley. Funeral: 2 p.m. Thursday at Lane Prairie Baptist Church in Joshua. Interment: Greenacres Memorial Park in Cleburne. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home. Mary Elizabeth Neely was born July 12, 1919, in Port Arthur to Albert H. and Lillie Fay Boyd Follett. She married Burnis Tucker on Dec. 16, 1941; he preceded her in death Dec. 15, 1961. She then married Chester Neely on June 2, 1963; he preceded her in death Nov. 18, 1972. Mrs. Neely was a member of Lane Prairie Baptist Church in Joshua. She loved gardening, her roses and sheltie dogs. Most of all, she loved kids. She was also preceded in death by a son, Hayden Tucker, on April 24, 2004. Survivors: Son, Albert Tucker of Jamestown, Tenn.; daughter, Donna Gurica of Mansfield; grandchildren, Jonathon Tucker of Joshua, Lori Isaacson of North Richland Hills, Michael Tucker of Lonpoc, Calif., and Jennifer Merrywell of Burleson; and great-grandchildren, Lindsay and Tommy Birk.