She was born March 9, 1926 in Parkdale, AL to George W. and Margaret Alice Giddens Dean. Grace was the ninth of 12 children born to the Deans and was the last surviving sibling. Grace graduated from Goodwater High School in 1943 and married Baxter Lynwood Neighbors on December 16 of that year.
Following the conclusion of World War II, the couple settled in Montgomery where they added a daughter and then a son to their family. They later moved to Millbrook where their third child, a daughter was born. The family returned to Montgomery in 1962.
Grace worked outside the home at Alabama Gas Company then later at Regions Bank from which she retired as an officer in 1986. She was active in the local chapter of the American Business Women Association and served a term as president. Grace was a dedicated member of Dalraida Baptist Church where she attended and volunteered for decades.
Grace became a widow at the young age of 57 and remained devoted to her husband’s memory the remainder of her life.
In retirement, Grace became an avid quilter and entered her quilts at the County and State Fairs winning highest honors on multiple occasions. She was a fiercely independent woman known for her excellent southern cooking, her quick wit and her boisterous laugh.
Grace enjoyed Sunday school and Bible study, traveling with friends, Auburn football, planning and attending Dean and Neighbors family reunions, being Mimi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and being Aunt Grace to many nieces and nephews.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents, her 11 siblings, her husband and her daughter-in-law, Ann Griffin Neighbors. She is survived by her three children and two sons-in-law: Linda Neighbors Diepenbrock and Tom Diepenbrock of Norman, OK, William Murray Neighbors of Auburn, and Traci Neighbors Fields and Bernie Fields of Montgomery. Grace is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Amy Wiggins Knight of Tulsa, OK, Christa Lyn Diepenbrock of Allen, TX, Leslie Dean Wiggins Christopher (Jason) of Norman,OK, Catherine Diepenbrock of Norman, OK, Rachel Diepenbrock of McKinney, TX, William Bradley Neighbors (Heather) of Mountain Brook, AL, Rachel Fields Cobb of Montgomery, and Rebecca Fields Nichols (Kyle) of Montgomery. Grace was blessed with 18 great-grandchildren who survive her with a nineteenth due to be born in April.
A visitation is set for Friday, February 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Leak Memory Chapel. A family graveside will conclude the services at 2:00 pm in Greenwood Cemetery.
Online condolences for the Neighbors family may be shared at: www.Leak-MC.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18