Mary Ruth Neely

Mary Ruth Neely joined the love of her life, Othel, in Heaven on November 10, 2021. The family will be available for visitation on Sunday, November 14, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. We will then celebrate a life well lived at Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, November 15, at 11:00 AM. Mary Ruth was born on March 26, 1932, in Speegleville, Texas, to Joseph Samuel and Flora Lee Maury McFall. Mary Ruth joined Speegleville Baptist Church at age 12 and was baptized in Hog Creek. She married Othel Neely in 1956 and became a member of First Baptist Church of Waco. Upon graduation from Waco High School in 1949, she earned her degree from Baylor University in three years at the age of 20. She taught all the math at Midway High School and later taught Gifted and Talented English at Waco I.S.D. Upon retirement after 20 years of teaching, she enjoyed extensive travel; playing gin rummy, bridge, and 42; going to all the Aggie football games with Othel; attending lots of basketball games; and enjoying her wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid genealogist, having over 11,000 names in her database for the Neely and McFall families. Mary Ruth volunteered at the Waco-McLennan County Library on Tuesdays for over seven years in the Genealogy Department. She was preceded in death by her husband, Othel; her parents; her sister, Doris Bratton; and her brother, Joe Sam McFall. She is survived by three children and their spouses: Phil and Nancy Neely, of Hewitt, Elizabeth and Bob Baldridge, of Plano, and Ruthie and Bryan Kaminski, of Plano. Her eight grandchildren include Brandon (Breanna), Nicole, Ashley (Landon), Robert (Courtney), Blake (Amy), Andrew, Clayton, and Blair. Her latest source of joy were her eight great-grandchildren. When you look up the definition of “mother” you will find Mimi and there is no better way to describe her unconditional love than in Proverbs 31:31. "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or by mail contribution to P.O. Box 20351, Waco, TX 76702. The family invites you to share a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.