Elizabeth Joe “Libby” Ward Neely, age 86, of Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Friday, December 1, 2017. Born March 17, 1931, in Scarboro, she was a daughter of the late Leeroy and Bessie Ward. Libby worked from the age of 12 until her retirement in 2015, including 33 years at Mizzy, Inc. and nearly 15 years at Highland House. She loved decorating and cleaning homes and the church, especially her own, planting flowers and doing yard work. Libby was a charter member of the Oak Hill Bible Church. She loved her church family and church fellowship dinners. She was so thankful for the love and care God provided through her church family, with special hugs to Bonnie Mynes, Charlotte Rose, Eleanor Bruffey, and Cathy Richardson. Libby had a generous heart. She loved giving to and being with her friends. She also loved all little children. In addition to her parents, Libby was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, the Rev. John David Neely, in 1990; her daughter, Carol Ann Neely, in 2015; four sisters, Madeline, Nellie, Dorothy and Louise; and four brothers, Johnnie, Roy, Sam and Bobby. She is survived by her granddaughter, Lisa Boone, and husband, Nathaniel, of Capitol Heights, Maryland; a sister, Ethel Margaret Westfall, of Hinton; four great-grandchildren, Antonio, Christina, DeAndre and Keyona; two great-great grandsons, Sheldon and Malachi; and numerous nieces and nephews – all whom she loved dearly. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, December 8, at noon, at the Oak Hill Bible Church, Clifton Forge, Virginia, with the Rev. Roger Bush officiating, assisted by the Revs. Michael Simmons and Virgil Woodie. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park in Low Moor, Virginia. Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until time of service. M emorials may be made to the Oak Hill Bible Church, 1601 Chestnut Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. Online condolences may be made at www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.
