Obituary of Ann Tomberlin Neely

Anne Elizabeth Tomberlin Neely passed away peacefully on a crisp October morning while a resident of the Carmel Hills Retirement Home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ann was born and raised in Indian Trail, North Carolina and enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the company of her beloved sister Ruth and brothers Reuben, Jimmy and Jack. She formed close and loving relationships with her siblings and was especially close to her mother. In her late 20's, she met the dashing Rufus Neely, a dairy farmer from Steele Creek Township in southwestern Mecklenburg County. The couple was married on October 29,1948 and remained happily together until Rufus' death in March of 1994. Ann was the mother of 2 sons, Rufus Grier Neely, Jr. and Sandy Kim Neely both of whom she cherished dearly. She lost her son Grier in July of 2014 and is survived by her son Kim. Ann also maintained the love and support of her daughters-in-law Susie Neely and Stephanie Neely and provided solace to both at the loss of their own mothers. Ann Neely could be characterized as a gentle, sweet soul with just a hint of mischief in her deep blue eyes. She rarely complained about anything in life and pretty much took things as they came. She took great comfort in the simple things - her family, her garden and feeding any stray cat that appeared at her door. She kept an immaculately clean home, made the most divine cake from the apples she picked from a tree in her back yard, kept her husband and sons amply supplied with clean clothes, good food and a warm, comfortable home. She was grounded in the traditional values of God, country and family. With that said, Ann was no shrinking violet. She could work in the soil, milk a cow or kill a rat with a baseball bat if the situation demanded it. She raised her sons and cared for her aged and memory challenged mother-in law while her husband Rufus worked a second shift job with City of Charlotte when his dairy farm closed. She was truly a steel magnolia who sought to make all those around her more comfortable and satisfied by her efforts. Ann is survived by her son Sandy Kim Neely, daughters-in-law Susie Neely and Stephanie Neely and brother Jack Stowe Tomberlin. A graveside funeral service will be held at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church where Ann was a member and will be interred beside her husband. Contributions in her memory may be made to Steele Creek Presbyterian Church. Ann Neely will be truly missed by her family and friends, but none would deny her the blessings of heaven and a joyful reunion with her husband, her siblings and her deceased son, Grier. We look forward to seeing her again someday in a better place and time.