Iona Canterbury Neely

Iona Canterbury Neely, age 89, of Fuquay- Varina, NC died on Thursday, February 15, at her residence in Windsor Point Retirement Center.

Born in Page, West Virginia, June 22, 1934 to Maxie Ray (Mac) Canterbury and Cammie Wilson Canterbury. Iona spent her early years in both Fayette and Monroe Counties of West Virginia. Being the daughter of a coal miner and her mother having physical limitations due to polio, Iona grew up with a strong work ethic, good organizing skills, and a friendly manner. She also learned to play the guitar as a young girl and sang at various events with her sisters.

After her marriage to Charles Neely they moved to Columbus Ohio with their oldest son Lacy. Two more sons were to follow, Jim and Chuck, and Iona was a full time stay at home mom. She made our little four room house in Powell, Ohio a wonderful home.  She did the same thing when the family moved to Albemarle, NC in 1963. In addition to working at home she was a full time pastor’s wife and at times worked a part time job. Moving to Raleigh in 1966 she filled these same rolls and focused on gaining job skills through higher education. Within two years she was employed at North Carolina State University and when she retired she was the Archival Assistant for NCSU.

Iona was faced with many health challenges throughout her life, from barely surviving infancy to two battles with cancer. She was a faithful and active member of College View Church of God for over 45 years.

Iona was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, her parents, and her five sisters; Ida Mae Dodd, Wanda Kurzyna, Mary Hisel, her twin sister Naomi Gwinn, and Hilda West. Iona had also suffered the loss of her oldest son Lacy in 1981. 

Surviving Iona are two sons Jim with his wife Jackie and Chuck with his wife Deborah. She was blessed to have and thoroughly enjoyed being a grandmother (Nana or Mom) to her four grandchildren; Monica Nelson with husband John, Lisa Davis with husband Terry, Levi Neely with wife Melissa, and Cammie Neely.  

Blessed also with nine great-grandchildren, Jacob Dale and wife Samantha, Rebecca Dale and boyfriend Tanner Blizzard, Peyton Dale and girlfriend Abigail Leon, Logan Nelson, Nicole Pendergraft with husband Kyle, Tyler Davis, Creed Davis, Julia Neely, and Matthew Neely. She also has two great-great grandsons, Jennings Pendergraft and Banks Dale.  Left to cherish her memory are numerous nieces and nephews and a good many friends.

Funeral service will be 1:30 PM on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill. Burial will follow at High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill.

Visitation for friends will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home in Oak Hill.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

The family of Iona Neely is being cared for by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill