Dr. Betty Sue Allison McNeese, longtime resident of Shreveport, died in Iowa City, Iowa, on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. A private service under the direction of her brother, the Reverend Doctor B. Gray Allison, will be held in Ida, Louisiana, at Bethsaida Cemetery on April 25, 2015.
Born in Ida, Louisiana, on January 26, 1927, to John Richard Preston Allison and Ora Byram Allison, Betty was a particularly imaginative and creative child. She was the next youngest of 9 children, and her 3 sisters were much older. She tried hard to get the brothers closest to her in age to include her in play, but this sometimes had mixed results. She got into trouble playing marbles 'for keeps' (which was forbidden), and—uncharacteristically—used a curse word, becoming enraged when her older brother won. Her mouth was washed out with soap after that incident.
Discovering two of her brothers smoking in the back pasture, Betty insisted they teach her the art. Years later, she described her brothers' disgust at her inability to inhale. They gave up, but she continued to persevere until she succeeded. Puffing triumphantly, she ran out of the pasture, calling, 'I can do it! I can do it!'—straight into the arms of her disapproving mother (known as 'Mama Allison' to many). This episode did not end well for any of the miscreants.
When she couldn't find willing playmates, Betty played with her imaginary friends, Hosston and Jenny, often requesting cookies for both (and sometimes one for her friend Jesus). She was also known for playing 'church', serving as a one-girl congregation, in addition to preaching (from the top of a piano bench), leading the choir, and passing the collection plate.
Betty graduated from Ida High School at the age of 16. She earned a B.A. from Northwestern State College by the time she was 20, serving with distinction in many leadership positions (such as in the Purple Jacket Honor Society and as president of both her sorority and of the Panhellenic Council). She later earned both an M.A. and an Ed.D. from the University of Mississippi.
Dr. McNeese long served the Caddo Parish School District as a teacher, counselor, supervisor, and Assistant Superintendent. Loved and respected by countless students and colleagues, she retired relatively early. Bored with retirement, she accepted a position as the director of Trinity Heights Christian Academy. Students there called her 'Sarge', due to the persistent (but inaccurate) rumor that she had previously been a military officer. After this stint, she come out of retirement again to serve as an adjunct Professor of Education and academic counselor at LSU-Shreveport. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the American Association of University Women throughout her career.
Dr. McNeese was a world traveler, often accompanied by her friend Dr. Gale Bridger. Their experiences in Machu Picchu, atop the Great Wall of China, on camelback in Egypt, and making their way through Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin are the stuff of legend—and this is a short list of their adventures.
After being diagnosed with early-stage dementia, Dr. McNeese moved to an assisted living facility in Iowa City to be near her daughter. She was well-known there, however, for asserting, 'I'll never make a Yankee!' Despite the inevitable progression of the disease, Betty retained her sweet and pleasant personality, much loved by the staff of Legacy Gardens and Briarwood Health Care Center. She continued to read voraciously until shortly before her death, and her intelligence manifested itself in a variety of ways. She suddenly declined in health, however, and her passing shortly afterward was peaceful and without visible discomfort—another blessing to her loving family and friends.
Dr. McNeese leaves behind a son, Robert Hilliard 'Happy' McNeese (and his wife, Cindy), of Gatesville, Texas, and a daughter, Sara Allison McNeese, of Iowa City. She also leaves two brothers, Dr. B. Gray Allison, a resident of Memphis, and James Edwin Allison, of Ida, as well as sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will be especially missed by her dear friend and travel companion, Dr. Gale Bridger, of Shreveport.
The family thanks Lensing Funeral Home in Iowa City for its compassionate care during this time. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com
Dr. Betty Sue Allison McNeese, longtime resident of Shreveport, died in Iowa City, Iowa, on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. A private service under the direction of her brother, the Reverend Doctor B. Gray Allison, will be held in Ida, Louisiana, at Bethsaida Cemetery on April 25, 2015.
Born in Ida, Louisiana, on January 26, 1927, to John Richard Preston Allison and Ora Byram Allison, Betty was a particularly imaginative and creative child. She was the next youngest of 9 children, and her 3 sisters were much older. She tried hard to get the brothers closest to her in age to include her in play, but this sometimes had mixed results. She got into trouble playing marbles 'for keeps' (which was forbidden), and—uncharacteristically—used a curse word, becoming enraged when her older brother won. Her mouth was washed out with soap after that incident.
Discovering two of her brothers smoking in the back pasture, Betty insisted they teach her the art. Years later, she described her brothers' disgust at her inability to inhale. They gave up, but she continued to persevere until she succeeded. Puffing triumphantly, she ran out of the pasture, calling, 'I can do it! I can do it!'—straight into the arms of her disapproving mother (known as 'Mama Allison' to many). This episode did not end well for any of the miscreants.
When she couldn't find willing playmates, Betty played with her imaginary friends, Hosston and Jenny, often requesting cookies for both (and sometimes one for her friend Jesus). She was also known for playing 'church', serving as a one-girl congregation, in addition to preaching (from the top of a piano bench), leading the choir, and passing the collection plate.
Betty graduated from Ida High School at the age of 16. She earned a B.A. from Northwestern State College by the time she was 20, serving with distinction in many leadership positions (such as in the Purple Jacket Honor Society and as president of both her sorority and of the Panhellenic Council). She later earned both an M.A. and an Ed.D. from the University of Mississippi.
Dr. McNeese long served the Caddo Parish School District as a teacher, counselor, supervisor, and Assistant Superintendent. Loved and respected by countless students and colleagues, she retired relatively early. Bored with retirement, she accepted a position as the director of Trinity Heights Christian Academy. Students there called her 'Sarge', due to the persistent (but inaccurate) rumor that she had previously been a military officer. After this stint, she come out of retirement again to serve as an adjunct Professor of Education and academic counselor at LSU-Shreveport. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the American Association of University Women throughout her career.
Dr. McNeese was a world traveler, often accompanied by her friend Dr. Gale Bridger. Their experiences in Machu Picchu, atop the Great Wall of China, on camelback in Egypt, and making their way through Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin are the stuff of legend—and this is a short list of their adventures.
After being diagnosed with early-stage dementia, Dr. McNeese moved to an assisted living facility in Iowa City to be near her daughter. She was well-known there, however, for asserting, 'I'll never make a Yankee!' Despite the inevitable progression of the disease, Betty retained her sweet and pleasant personality, much loved by the staff of Legacy Gardens and Briarwood Health Care Center. She continued to read voraciously until shortly before her death, and her intelligence manifested itself in a variety of ways. She suddenly declined in health, however, and her passing shortly afterward was peaceful and without visible discomfort—another blessing to her loving family and friends.
Dr. McNeese leaves behind a son, Robert Hilliard 'Happy' McNeese (and his wife, Cindy), of Gatesville, Texas, and a daughter, Sara Allison McNeese, of Iowa City. She also leaves two brothers, Dr. B. Gray Allison, a resident of Memphis, and James Edwin Allison, of Ida, as well as sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will be especially missed by her dear friend and travel companion, Dr. Gale Bridger, of Shreveport.
The family thanks Lensing Funeral Home in Iowa City for its compassionate care during this time. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com
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