Lelia Irene (Alexander) Neely

Lelia Irene Neely peacefully went home to heaven on September 7, 2024 in her daughter's home in Mechanicsville, Virginia with her children at her side.

Born on December 31, 1941, in Oak Hill, West Virginia to James and Anne (Deaner) Alexander, she fondly recalled her childhood years in Oak Hill with the family summer celebrations that always involved homemade ice cream. She could be mischievous and set the curtains on fire with her chemistry set she received for Christmas. She also joyfully remembered the annual family vacations with her mother's extended family to Grace Lake in Virginia. Irene lived a life marked by kindness, generosity and selflessness.

She attended Collins High School and later trained for and became a very accomplished key punch operator. She also worked for many years in the Fayette County Assessor's Office and served for a short time as the Fayette County Assessor. She was known for her conscientiousness and professionalism. She lived the majority of her life in Oak Hill before relocating to Mechanicsville, Virginia, where her daughter lives, in 2022.

Irene married Daniel Ben Neely Sr, the great love of her life, on May 11, 1991. They spent wonderful, happy years together filled with love, travel and family until his death on August 5, 2006.

She was a member of Oak Hill Church of the Nazarene, where she served a term as a board member. She also frequently volunteered in various "behind the scenes" capacities, such as making the snacks for the children at vacation bible school. Her kindness, gentle and loving spirit, quick forgiveness and lack of jealousy or malice were the outward hallmarks of her faith and relationship with Jesus.

She loved the beach, swimming, traveling, crafting (including scrapbooking and tole painting), reading, movies, her pets and Christmas. Visiting with her at Christmas was magical, with her decorations of her home and tree. She made wonderful Christmas treats and displayed a beautiful Christmas village. But more than anything else, she loved her family and spending time with them.

While she loved her family with all her heart, her greatest accomplishment and joy was being Nana to her granddaughters Alexandra Marie Long and Savannah Bronte Long Lyon. They have wonderful memories of time spent together and although they lived 2000 miles apart, the depth and bond of their relationships were never hindered by the distance.

She was predeceased by her father James Alexander, her mother Anne Alexander, her brother James Alexander II, her son-in-law Mark Grimmett, and many cousins, aunts and uncles.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Merry Grimmett of Mechanicsville, VA and James Long (Natalie) of Salt Lake City, UT; her granddaughters Alexandra Marie Long and Savannah Bronte Lyon (Craig) of Salt Lake City, UT; her sister-in-law Kathy Alexander of Oak Hill, WV; her niece Dawn Alexander and nephew Robert Alexander of Oak Hill, WV; her great nephew Shaun Alexander of Oak Hill, WV; several cousins, and all those who knew her at Sancerre or cared for her. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and eyes. People often commented on how she "smiled from her eyes". Her legacy of love, kindness and giving flows through her children and grandchildren who were blessed to know and call her Mom and Nana.

A service to honor Irene's life will be held at Oak Hill Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, September 14 at 11 am, with visitation from 10 am to 11am. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill, West Virginia.

 n lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Irene.

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

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