Bernice May McNeely

Bernice May McNeely, mother of 5, grandmother of 11, great-grandmother of 21, and follower of Jesus Christ, left us peacefully on December 28, 2024, to be with her God and Savior, whom she longed to see.

Bernice was born May 9, 1934 in Bemidji, Minnesota, to George and Clara Cooper. During her elementary schooling, she was introduced to Jesus Christ by missionaries of Oak Hills Fellowship, where she later studied and graduated from their Bible Institute.

She lived an active life of service to others. After graduating from the University of Washington as a Registered Nurse, she became a missionary with Central American Mission, where she met and married her husband George. Their life together of 64 years took them to Latin America, El Paso, Minnesota, and Dallas. Bernice’s life was filled with ministry as a pediatric nurse, pastor’s wife, Bible bookstore co-owner, Sunday School and Awana teacher, and ladies’ Bible study participant—and especially wife, mother, and grandma to the family she loved. These ministries were sustained by her love to know and memorize the Scriptures, and many describe her as a wise and encouraging friend.

She is survived by her husband George; daughters Charity (Jeff) Williams and Carisa Agee; sons Chuck (Lynlee), Clark (Lisa), and Cliff (Stacy); grandchildren Rusty (Morgan) Williams, Rachel (Tim) Hermesmeyer, Rebecca (James) Stoker, Lauren (Hugo) Perez, Julianne Agee, Brittany (Jon) Barton, Mirandy (Isaac) Richardson, Ryan (Noelle) McNeely, Ashley (Daniel) Dorsey, Trevor (Sadie) McNeely, and Regan McNeely; twenty-one great-grandkids; and sister Shirley Sutherland. She is predeceased by grandson Timothy, her parents, three sisters, and brother.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse in Bernice's name. Letters and cards of encouragement and favorite memories can be mailed to George McNeely at 105 Crystal Brooke, Grapevine, TX 76051 or emailed to [email protected].

Bernice was greatly loved and, while she will be missed, we rejoice that she is with our Father in Heaven and we will be reunited one day.

A funeral service for Bernice will be held Monday, January 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225.