Ruth Kee Neeley

Our grandmother, Ruth Neeley, whom we called Rufus, was born the fifth child of Jerry (Jay) and Ila Gainey Kee of Lillian, AL and Pensacola, FL. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, John L. Neeley; her son, Steve David Neeley; her daughter, Juana Sue Neeley Roy; and her siblings, Barbara D'Argis, Pauline Hodges, and James (Buddy) Kee; her paternal grandparents, Thomas Franklin and Frances Shiver Gainey; her Godparents, William and Ruth Kee; her two nephews, Henry Arcand and Ricky Moore; two nieces, Paulette Hice and Mary Arcand; two great nieces, Anneliese Moore and Kasey Brown; and two great-great nephews. She is survived by her grandchildren, John E. Guice, Jr. (Natosha) of Ocean Springs, MS, Jeri Talbert Dunn (Chris), Biloxi, MS, Lauren N. Neeley and Jason D. Neeley, Biloxi, MS, and her daughter-in-law, Belinda Neeley, Biloxi, MS; her great-grandchildren, Dokatah S. K. Oden, C. Bryant C. Dunn, Isabelle E. M. Dunn, of Ocean Springs, MS, John E. Guice, III (Trip) and Ayla L. Guice of Ocean Springs, MS, Emily C. Mitchell and Ashton D. M. Neeley of Ocean Springs, MS. "Rufus" is also survived by two sisters, Mary J. Kee McDaniel (James) of Fountain, FL and Jeri F. Kee Edge (John) of Pensacola; 11 nephews; 25 great nephews; 33 great-great nephews, and two great-great-great nephews; 14 nieces; 24 great-nieces; 47 great-great nieces; and two great-great-great nieces. She was known as Mom and Rufus to many friends of her children and grandchildren. Ruth was the family historian and loved her family genealogy- dating back to 1753. She wrote many family biographies for the Escambia County Florida Historical Society and they were published in "The Heritage of Escambia County, Florida Books." Ruth attended elementary and high school in Pensacola, FL and college in Mississippi. She was employed by the Department of Defense (AAFES) and retired by 1985. She was the first employee to complete all of the general correspondence courses in the South East area. She was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Ocean Springs where she served as Vice President in 1987 and President in 1988 of the Parish Council. She served as President of the Altar Society, the Legion of Mary, and as an Extraordinary Minister of the Most Holy Eucharist. She made Curillo No. 76 in 1984. Father Paddy Mockler is her Spiritual Director. She was a Cradle Catholic, being baptized 12 May 1937 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Pensacola, FL at the age of two months. Her Confirmation name of Martha was chosen in honor of her Aunt. Ruth became a member of the Ocean Springs Garden Club 27 January 1984 and was a life member. She served twice as President in 1987 and 1995. She was instrumental in getting the Bird Ordinance of Ocean Springs, honored in 1996, through the Garden Club. She was a life member of the 1699 Historical Committee- serving as President in 1985. She was Grand Marshal in 1992 of the Landing of D'Iberville. She served on several committees, but enjoyed most serving with Bobby Davidson Smith promoting the History of Ocean Springs and the Scholarship Program at local schools. Ruth was a life member of the Order of Amaranth and Deputy Supreme Royal Matron of the Supreme Council and Past Royal Matron of Gulf Coast Court No. 1 in 1981, she served as Secretary for twenty-three years. She was a member of Mobile Court No. 7 serving as Royal Matron 2013-2014, Order of the Amaranth in Mobile, AL. She was a member of the Grand Court of Alabama serving as Grand Charity and elected to the Grand line, serving as Grand Conductress in 2013-2014 and Grand Associate Matron 2014-2015. She is a past Grand Royal Matron of the Grand Court of Alabama, Order of the Amaranth serving in 2015-2016. Ruth was a member of Adah Chapter No. 49 Order of the Eastern Star in Ocean Springs serving as Worthy Matron in 1996 and Worthy Matron of Niceville Chapter 254, FL, in 1971. She served in many offices of both Chapters. She received her proficiency from both Florida and Mississippi. She was a member and Past President of Adah Chapter's Past Matron's Club. Ruth was a life member of the Burtonwood Royal Air Force Association of Burtonwood, England and traveled to England for their 2008 Convention, and to Ireland where she fell in love with the people and the country- especially Galway Bay returning several times. She was proud to be a member of the Special "Ten Club" comprised of very special friends dedicated to each other. Ruth was a member of TOPS Chapter 122, where she was Queen in 2011. She loved animals, and was a member of the Humane Society of the U.S., the ASPCA, and special friend of the animals of the Jackson County Animal Shelter, always collecting food and blankets. She hosted dinner parties and the ticket to attend was a bag of cat or dog food. She and her husband were always rescuing cats and seeing to it that they had proper food and medical treatment. Our grandmother, "Rufus," was a very special lady, always loving, always loved, and will be missed by all of us and many who had the privilege to know her. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Jackson County Animal Shelter in her memory, P.O. Box 998, Pascagoula, MS 39568. Visitation will be held Monday, July 3, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., all at St. Alponsus Catholic Church. Interment will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.