Neoma Jewell Lawhon was born on April 1st, 1926 in Levelland Texas to Charles Samuel Lawhon and Jewell Yeager Lawhon. The Lawhons were a West Texas ranching family, and Neoma grew up surrounded by animals, giving her a lifelong love of God’s creatures.
Neoma spent her early years in Levelland, but her parents both passed before Neoma completed high school. She left Levelland to live with her adult siblings until graduating high school.
Neoma studied interior design before moving to Birmingham, Alabama. She continued her higher education in Birmingham, focusing on nursing.
She met her future husband, Martin James Lide, Jr., in Birmingham. They married on November 12th, 1950 and eventually settled in Mountain Brook, Alabama. Neoma and Martin had three sons, Martin James Lide III, Brooks Nathaniel Lide, and Gardner Lawhon Lide.
For many years, Neoma was active in DACOWITS (Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services), the Birmingham Veterans Day Parade, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Arlington. Neoma had a deep appreciation of veterans, especially because her husband and brother had served as officers with the Army Air Corps during World War II.
Neoma worked as a head nurse in several Birmingham hospitals until joining her husband in managing their family architectural firm, Martin J. Lide and Associates. She continued there until they both retired.
On May 19th, 2016, Neoma lost her husband to natural causes after 65 years of devoted marriage.
Neoma passed serenely on November 13th, 2018 at the age of 92. She is survived by her loving sons, Martin III, Brooks, and Gardner and her two wonderful grandsons, Griffin and Graeme.
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