Obituary (written by Dee before passing) to appear in the Knoxville News Sentinel on Monday, March 27, 2006:
Elsie “Dee” O’Daniell Neel
Elsie “Dee” O’Daniell Neel joined
our Lord in Heaven on March 25, 2006 following a 12-year battle with breast cancer. She was 64, born on October 5, 1941.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr., and Mrs. Charles Washington O’Daniell, Jr., and brother, Larry Eugene O’Daniell. She is survived by her loving and caring husband of 39 years, Dr. James B. Neel, two supportive and wonderful sons, James O’Daniell Neel (Jody) and David Burkett Neel, their wives, Preethi Pillaipakkam and Rina Braden, brother and sister in-law, Ronnie and Marilyn O’Daniell of Dale City, Virginia, older brother Charles O’Daniell of Memphis, brothers and sisters-in-law, Phillip and Betty Dotson of Athens, Alabama, Nancy and Bob Burt of Tullahoma, Tennessee, and Thomas and Melissa Neel of Petersburg, Tennessee.
Surviving nephews and nieces include Amy and David Morgan of Dale City Virginia, Emily and Jeremy Puma of Seattle, Washington, Phillip and Rujina Dotson of Petersburg, Tennessee, John David and Danielle Dotson of Fairfax, Virginia, Becky and Lee Smith of Birmingham, Alabama, Beth Burt of New York City, Clint and Heather Neel of Nashville and Petersburg, Tennessee. Dee is also survived by her best friend, Faye Hickle of New Market, Tennessee as well as her “Shark Sisters,” and her tennis team captained by Jan Brown.
Dee was a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, a graduate of Wheaton College with a major in English Literature. She received her Masters Degree in Educational Psychology and Guidance from the University of Tennessee. She was a high school guidance counselor 9 year. She was also active as a Cub Scout Leader.
Dee was active in her church, Central Baptist Church of Bearden where she taught 7th grade Sunday School class for 12 years, 4th grade Royal Ambassadors for 10 years and an active Deacon.
She was an active participant in USTA Team Tennis at the 3.5 level for many years where she competed at the local, state, and Sectional levels and at the 6.5 and 7.5 levels for combo teams. She was also an acrylic painter, a magazine writer, and a lover of crafts and travel.
Dee approached life with joy and love. Her motto of life was Psalms 118:20, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
The family expresses appreciation to friends who have been so supportive during the recent months. Friends will be received from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Central Baptist Church of Bearden with the funeral to follow. Graveside Service will be at Edgewood Cemetery Tuesday morning, March 28 at 10:00 AM. A procession to Edgewood will leave from Mann's Funeral Home at 9:45 AM on Tuesday. Memorial donations may be made in Dee’s name to the Youth Program at Central Baptist Church of Bearden.
