Harriet Herring Neely

Published 6:59 pm Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Harriet Herring Neely, 87, passed away on Sept. 1, 2017, in LaGrange, Georgia.  Born July 24, 1930 in Minneapolis, MN, Harriet moved with her family to Birmingham, Alabama at a young age. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Laboratory Technology and completed her internship at Emory University Hospital. It was at Auburn that Harriet met and married Charles S. Neely.

Harriet was an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for 44 years and served as president of her local chapter several times as well as president of the P.E.O. Georgia State Chapter. She was invited to join the board of the Emory University Nursing Association and later served as president. She was a member of the Atlanta Camellia Society, the LaGrange Symphony Board, the Women’s Circle of the First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, and participated in the local community Meals-on-Wheels program.

An avid gardener, Harriet loved spending time tending her flowers and blueberry patch. She also enjoyed sitting on the deck with a good book and watching birds visiting the many feeders surrounding her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Elizabeth Herring, and her brother, Carl F. Herring, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Steve, of 66 years; children: Christopher Neely; Craig Neely and wife, Julie, son Cameron and wife, Miller, grandchildren Emery, Wyatt and Wright, daughter Lacy and husband, Michael, granddaughter Callie; Leslie Neely; Carl Neely; Elizabeth Neely and husband, Ray, and grandson, Charlie; Harriet Neely Chambers and husband, Allan; niece Anne Shirley and husband, Stone; nephew Carl F. Herring III and wife, Donna; and niece Jeanne Giager and husband, Terry.

A memorial service will be held on Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the First United Methodist of LaGrange, with the Reverend Steve Unti officiating. For those wishing to honor Harriet, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the

Harriet H. Neely P.E.O. Scholarship Fund. Mailing address: P.E.O. Foundation, H Neely Scholarship, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312.  On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.higginsfuneralhomes.com.   Higgins LaGrange Chapel, 706-884-7117.