With peace and grace, Edna Lee Selby Lennard Neill entered the presence of her Savior on June 21, 2025—just one day before her 95th birthday. Born June 22, 1930, to Marvin and Edna Selby, she lived a life defined by faith, love, and joyful service to others.
Known affectionately as Edna, Mom, or MeMe, she was adventurous, spirited, thoughtful, and deeply committed to both family and faith. Her life overflowed with stories that reflected these qualities such as her steadfast commitment to daily Scripture reading and devotionals, her active role as a 60+ year charter member of Christ United Methodist Church, and the quiet strength of a life consistently lived with authentic Christian values.
Edna’s personal motto, “Live every day as if it is your last,” was no mere saying. She lived it fully, embracing each day with laughter, purpose, and joy. She loved dancing, holidays, baking her famous pound cake, caring for children at Southern Hills Elementary School, recycling, playing cards, riding her bike into her late 80s, and spending meaningful time with family and friends. Her generosity and fun-loving spirit was especially evident in her legendary shopping skills—her “superpower”—particularly when navigating the aisles of Dillard’s, local thrift stores, or a neighborhood garage sale in search of the perfect treasure for a friend or family member.
Edna’s family was her heart. She was a devoted and proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, faithfully attending school activities, sporting events, and dance recitals. Her home was a place of welcome—always ready for a family dinner, a church group, or a talk over coffee. She was happily married to James Bernard Lennard for 48 years and later shared 18 wonderful years of marriage with Gean Neill, both of whom she loved deeply. She loved spending time with her three children—Ricky, Ted, and Nancy and was so proud of the life they lived.
To all who knew her, Edna embodied the noble woman described in Proverbs 31: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” She lived with wisdom, kindness, and a deep reverence for God. Her life was simple, yet powerful—a quiet testimony to faith in Christ and the strength of godly character. Today, we give thanks for the beautiful life she lived. And we trust she has heard the words she longed to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Thank you, Edna—Mom, MeMe—for the legacy of love and faith you leave behind.
Edna leaves behind her husband of 18 years, Gean Neill, two children—Ted (Suzanne), Nancy (Tim), a brother Marvin (Bonnie), ten grandchildren—Ben (Tina), Cameron (Brittany), Alan (Lindsey), Molly, Selby (Blake), Claire (Tudor), Julia (Tomas), Maura (Alex), Ellie (Preston), and Carter; and sixteen great-grandchildren (Hayes, Beau, Jase, Lane Kathryn, Lawson, Ledger, Laykin, Leighton, Elodie, and Breckyn, Phoebe, Oliver, Nora, Wesley, Ada, and Willa), Gean’s brother, Dale (Gloria), and Gean’s children, Debbie, Patty (Daryl), and Carl (Ramona), plus many more family members, friends, and loved ones. She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, James Bernard Lennard, son—Richard Crockett Lennard, and parents—Marvin and Edna Selby.
A special thanks goes to Edna’s caregivers: Marlene in Ozark, Missouri; Carolyn, Connie and Kisha in Shreveport, and Cassie, Gwen and Nicole with St. Joseph’s Hospice of Shreveport. Also, to Gean—your commitment to care for Edna during her greatest need was such a beautiful picture of commitment in marriage and has inspired us all. Thank you!
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 10:00 am at Christ United Methodist Church in Shreveport, LA, followed by a graveside service at Centuries Memorial Park. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to either Holy Angels School, (10450 Ellerbe Rd, Shreveport, LA. 71106 or laholyangels.org) or Christ United Methodist Church, (1204 Crabapple Drive, Shreveport, LA, 71118 or http://christ-umc.com/on-line-giving).
