Neelie Helen Watkins Lyman

Neelie Helen Lyman, 95, peacefully passed away at The Heritage of Overland Park on March 21st, 2013. She was born on the Watkins Family Farm in Raymore, Missouri, on February 21, 1918, the daughter of Charles and Rita Allen Watkins. Visitation will be at 10:00 am Tuesday, March 26, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am at Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. A burial service will immediately follow at the Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Neelie grew up on the farm, graduated from Raymore High School in 1936, and attended Hough’s Business School. Upon graduation, she began working at the Bertram Naphtha Company. Through long time family friends, she met and married Frank L. Lyman in 1938. They began a family with Charles in 1942 and following Frank’s service in the Merchant Marines, a second son, William. They were active for a number of years in the Marlborough Methodist Church and Marlborough Chapter No. 360 of the Order of the Eastern Star where she was a Past Worthy Matron. She lived in the Center School District 34 years and was employed by the district from 1956 to 1975. She served as Board Secretary for 10 years and Board Treasurer for 19 years, in addition to serving as District Accountant. She was a member of the Missouri Century Farm Club.

In 1975, she retired to the Lake of the Ozarks in the Gravois Mills area and stayed there until 2011. She entertained her son’s families for years at the Lake. She and Frank always dreamed of living there. She recently moved to the Heritage of Overland Park in her final years. The loves of her life were her sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her brother, Col. George Watkins, and her sister, Luverne Holbrook. She is survived by both sons and their families, William and Sharon Lyman of The Villages, Florida, their children Brent and Kimberly Lyman, Charles and Judy Lyman of Raymore, Missouri, their children William Remy, Amy Daniels, Susan Brockmann, Charles Lyman II, Julia Francis and twelve great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her brother, Charles W. Watkins of Raymore.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Silver Link Ministry, The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas 66224. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.