Neaomie Vene Ryan

Neaomie Reeves Ryan was born October 4, 1932, in Bradford, Arkansas, to Homer and Gladys Reeves. She grew up surrounded by family, alongside her three brothers, Don, Jim, and Roy Gene, and her sister, Wanda Ruth.

Bright and determined from an early age, Neaomie graduated from Bradford High School as salutatorian before continuing her education at Arkansas State University–Beebe. It was there that she met a young man named James A. Ryan—and the love story that would shape so much of her life began.

James apparently wasted very little time making his intentions known. On their very first date, he presented Neaomie with a pair of baby booties and told her to keep them for their first child. Neaomie, evidently not quite as far along in the courtship as James had imagined, informed him, “You’re being awfully fresh.”

Fresh or not, James must have made quite an impression. The young couple fell in love and were married in Mishawaka, Indiana, on November 1, 1952. Less than a year later, those audacious little baby booties suddenly didn’t seem quite so presumptuous. Their first daughter, Diana Ryan Holmes, was born on October 17, 1953, followed a few years later by their second daughter, Linda Ryan, on April 29, 1957.

In the early 1960s, James and Neaomie moved their young family to Redkey, Indiana, where they settled into life on a farm and raised their two daughters. Neaomie embraced farm life wholeheartedly, finding joy in her family, the close-knit Redkey community, and the fellowship of Redkey Christian Church. In 1971, the family left Indiana and returned to Neaomie's Arkansas roots, where she could once again be near the family she had grown up with.

Once settled in Arkansas, Neaomie discovered an entirely new chapter of her life. She developed an interest in real estate, earned her broker’s license, and eventually purchased Countryside Realty in Bentonville, Arkansas, from Jack Hill. At a time when few women held such positions, Neaomie became one of only two female real-estate brokers in the surrounding area—a distinction that spoke to the independence and determination that had been part of her character all along.

Faith was at the very heart of Neaomie and Jim’s life together. They were devoted members of NewLife Christian Church, formerly Bella Vista Christian Church, and were part of the congregation from its earliest days. Long before there was a church building, they gathered each Sunday with just a handful of other believers at Riordan Hall, helping to nurture the small congregation that would eventually grow into the church they loved so dearly. Through the years, as meeting places changed and the congregation grew, their commitment never did. NewLife Christian Church became far more than the place Neaomie and Jim attended on Sunday mornings—it became their church home and remained an important part of their lives throughout the years.

Somewhere along the way, Diana introduced her mother to Arkansas Razorback basketball, unknowingly beginning what would become a lifelong family passion. Jim soon joined the fun, and before long, they had thoroughly indoctrinated Linda as well. Their love for the Hogs took them across the country during March Madness, including the 1990 Final Four in Denver, the unforgettable 1994 National Championship victory in Charlotte, and the 1995 Final Four in Seattle. But for Neaomie, the greatest reward wasn't found on the basketball court. It was the laughter, excitement, and treasured memories made with the family she loved.

But above all else, Neaomie treasured her family. She was, in every sense of the word, its matriarch—a role she embraced wholeheartedly. From her daughters to her great-great-grandchildren, each generation knew the constancy of her presence in their lives. She worried, encouraged, celebrated, advised, and loved with the fierce devotion of a woman who understood that being the matriarch wasn't merely about being at the head of the family—it was about being there for every member of it.

And what a family it became. From her daughters, Diana Holmes and husband, Dinnis, and Linda Ryan, came another generation: her grandchildren, Chantel Dunson, Justin Sockrider and wife, Elizabeth, Misty Garvin and husband, Shawn, Angela Cudmore and husband, Chris, and Heather Reding; followed by her great-grandchildren, Nathen Stines, Brooke Stines, Dylan Garvin, Brandon Dunson, Zoe Griffis, Vanessa Reding, and Lyric Cote; and then yet another generation for Neaomie to love, her great-great-grandchildren, Kendra Stines, Daisy Ashford, Zayne Stines, Kyler Newton, and Samuel Wamser.

In addition to her adored extended family, Neaomie is survived by her sweet sister-in-law, Margie Reeves, and a bunch of much-loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Ryan; her parents, Homer and Gladys Reeves; and her siblings, Don, Jim, Roy Gene, and Wanda Ruth Reeves Riley.

Long ago, on their very first date, an awfully confident young man handed Neaomie a pair of baby booties and told her to save them for their first child.

What began with that pair of baby booties became a family—and after five generations, their love story is still being written.