Henry McNeely

Funeral services for Mr. Henry “Snake” McNeely, 76 of Carthage, Texas will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Leon Veazey and Rev. Mike Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Bethel Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Family visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6–8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. McNeely passed away May 6, 2012 in Carthage. Mr. William Henry “Snake” McNeely was born April 26, 1936 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Henry was the oldest of six children born to the marriage of Guy “Blackie” and Faye Oaks McNeely. He started schools in Troup later graduating from Carthage High School with the class of 1955 where he lettered in football as a star player and received a scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University. He was an accomplished musician since high school. Mr. McNeely worked for the Stroh Brewery as a maintenance supervisor for 25 years later working for Continental Can in the same building for another 10 years before he retired. Snake found his soul mate and married Lelma Cozette Davis on May 26, 1992 and they celebrated 20 years of marriage. He was a member of the Enterprise Baptist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason, a huge Dallas Cowboy fan who loved nature, gardening, hunting and fishing, music and singing throughout his life. He was a loving and kindhearted man always doing for others before himself. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Barbara Steele and Wanda Bounds, brother, Harvey McNeely and step daughter, Melissa King. Mr. McNeely is survived by his devoted wife, Cozette Davis McNeely of Carthage, step son, James Blackwell of Nacogdoches, brothers, Jesse McNeely and wife Mel of Plainswood, Ronnie McNeely and wife Betty of Mineola, sister-in-law, Sherry McNeely of Carthage, aunt, Pat and Herb Upchurch of Ardmore, OK, step grandchildren, Wayne Russell of Bossier City, LA, Trent Russell and wife Shannon of Timpson, Justin Bernal of Nacodoches, numerous nieces, nephews and special caregivers, Weda Barnett, Robert and Rita Veazey and Diane Wall and a host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be James Blackwell, Justin Bernal, Wayne Russell, Trent Russell, Robert Veazey and Robbie McNeely, honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Wall, Harold George and Gene Campbell.

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Henry McNeely

April 26, 1936 - May 6, 2012