Marjory Mcneal Cretien

Marjory McNeal Cretien, 91, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2022, in Waco. She was a devoted friend, mother, and wife; a gracious hostess; and a formidable bridge player.

The younger of two children born to Frank and Ella McNeal, Marjory entered this world on August 19, 1931, in Owen County, Kentucky. She grew up on her family’s tobacco farm and went to school in Wheatley, New Liberty, and Owenton. She graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown College, where she was elected Valentine Queen and earned the admiration of both students and faculty.

Soon after college she married and started a family. She devoted herself to rearing her two children, Linda and Neal, and sought for them the best educational opportunities she could provide.

After the family moved to Waco and the children grew into adolescence, she took a job editing books at Word Incorporated. Later she worked as a paralegal and then as an administrative assistant for Naman, Howell, Smith, and Lee.

Both as a deacon and as a teacher of a popular college Sunday School class, she served Seventh and James Baptist Church with ardent dedication for many years.

Her marriage to Paul D. Cretien in middle age brought laughter and loving companionship into her life. The couple enjoyed both overseas travel and summers in the Rocky Mountains.

Marjory attracted friends wherever she went. The word most often used to describe her was “gracious.” She exemplified Southern hospitality and awed her guests with her culinary skills and floral arrangements.

From an early age she excelled at games and continued to win at bridge and Scrabble long after her dementia made such feats seem impossible.

Marjory is survived by her husband, Paul; sister, Carolyn Towles (Don); daughter, Linda Leavell (Brooks Garner); son, Neal Leavell (Cherie); granddaughters, Leigh Ann Tognetti (Joe), Alyssa Leavell, and Laura Leavell; and two great-granddaughters, Elizabeth and Emily Tognetti.

The family wishes to recognize the staff at Living Springs Village Memory Care for their compassionate care of Marjory during the final years of her life.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 13 at Seventh and James Baptist Church in Waco. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 15 at the New Liberty I00F Cemetery in New Liberty, Kentucky. Visitation will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, December 12 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.

Memorial gifts may be made to Seventh and James Baptist Church.