Neely, H Winifred

Helen "Winnie" Winifred (Morris) Neely

Born Jun. 2, 1926 in Bigelow, MO

Died Aug. 16, 2022 in Fairfax, MO

Helen Winifred Neely was born June 2, 1926, in Bigelow, MO, but no one ever called her anything but Winnie. Her parents were William Franklin and Helen Mae Wright Morris.

Winnie attended school in Bigelow, MO, through the eighth grade, and graduated from Mound City High School in 1944. She passed from this life on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at Community Hospital-Fairfax, MO.

Winnie married James Robert Neely in Las Vegas, NV, on August 7, 1961. Together they lived in St. Joseph, MO, and Omaha, NE, before settling in Enid, OK, where they lived until they retired. Winnie worked a variety of department stores positions, including Keelings in Mound City, JCPenney in St. Joseph, United in Omaha, and Grants and Sears in Enid. Winnie was a member of Davis Park Christian Church in Enid and also attended Christian Fellowship Church in Mound City.

Winnie and Jim retired in 1986 and returned home to Craig, MO. The couple enjoyed traveling throughout the western states in their travel trailer, and had visited many of the contiguous United States. They loved to feed and watch the birds and the wildlife that crossed their property.

Winnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; brother, Warren Morris; stepdaughter, Linda Neely Herron; and nephew, Frank Morris. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Loretta Morris of Maryville, MO; niece, Helen \'Becky\' (Stephen) Smither of Maryville; nephews, Bud Morris of Bigelow, John (Mary) Morris of Boswell, IN, and Terry Morris of Independence, MO; several great-nieces and great-nephews, great-grandnieces, great-grand-nephews, great-great-grandnieces and great-great-grandnephews; and a great many friends.

Winnie loved her family fiercely and always enjoyed seeing pictures and hearing stories of their exploits. One of her great-grandnephews said about her, "I think Winnie is the nicest person I know". Most people who knew her would agree.

Family members greeted visitors at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Chamberlain Funeral Home in Mound City. Memorial services followed at 3 p.m. Winnie was interred next to her beloved Jim at Craig IOOF Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Mound City Nutrition Site or to the Old Mound City Cemetery.

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