Martha "Tennessee" Ann Evans Neal passed away March 31, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas surrounded by her loving family and friends.
A private funeral was held at Greenwood Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX. Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army at ; or Ridglea Christian Church at ; .
She was born June 7, 1934 in Fulton, KY, to Sebra and Roberta Evans. Martha attended Texas Christian University, where she was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta and the Ranch Week Queen. She made many lifelong friends at TCU and remained a devoted football fan for the rest of her life. She completed her degree in physical therapy at the University of Texas at Galveston in 1955.
In her youth, Martha excelled academically and athletically. Her father was an amateur magician and she was always an eager assistant in his weekend magic acts. As the fourth of five children, she took care of her younger sister, Nancy. Martha adored her sister and they were constant companions. Martha even named one of her daughters Nancy.
For her hard work and intelligence, Martha was awarded a one-year academic scholarship to TCU. She boarded the train from Memphis, Tennessee to Fort Worth, Texas with $5.00 in her pocket and one dress. She arrived on campus and instantly found new friends. She ended up being one of five Martha's in her science class, so to avoid confusion she became known as "Tennessee".
In her first year, "Tennessee" made straight A's in her pre-med classes and joined Kappa Alpha Theta with her best friend Sally Renshaw, who remained her close friend for 66 years. When Martha's one-year scholarship ended, she continued to work at the TCU bookstore so she could stay close to her friends. The TCU President's secretary saw this and sprang into action. She reached out to alumni and found someone to cover Martha's education for the remainder of her time at TCU. That anonymous donor not only changed the course of Martha's life, but the lives of the thousands of people Martha helped.
After college, Martha married Orville Gene Neal, who she met on a blind date at TCU. As a young physical therapist, Martha worked at Easter Seals with children recovering from Polio and managing the challenges of Cerebral Palsy. She took a break from physical therapy to raise her three girls Laura, Nancy, and Holly. Once the girls were old enough, Martha began seeing patients in her own home so she could help the infirm while simultaneously caring for her children.
In the 1980's, when her girls were heading off to college, she began to work with the elderly in local hospitals and nursing homes. Many physical therapists preferred to work with younger patients, but Martha understood that these older patients needed companionship as much as therapy. She took the time to have coffee with them, listen to their stories, sing with them and try to connect with them on a personal level. She treated everyone with dignity, respect and compassion. Her patients and their families loved her, and although Martha retired at the age of 67, she continued to receive job offers for the next ten years. Everyone wanted Martha.
Throughout her life, Martha loved sports. She was a great tennis player and excelled at racquetball. She coached all three of her daughters in softball and volunteered at the Benbrook Recreation Association for many years. She was a huge TCU football fan and was a co-founder of the TCU Women's Football Clinic to teach other women about the game so they could enjoy it as much as she did. She and Orville loved their TCU tailgates with family and friends, and she continued to attend games at the age of 84.
Martha was involved in many groups, including the Salvation Army, Mother Knitters, Birthday Beauties, Ridglea Christian Church Bible Studies and TCU Women Exe's. She was also a member of Ridglea Country Club, where she enjoyed countless dinners with family and friends.
She adored her grandchildren. She attended almost every game and performance she could, cheering them on and loving every minute of it. Together, they played countless games of dominoes, gin rummy, darts, bowling and anything that was competitive. All eight of her grandchildren enjoyed her great sense of humor and always felt loved.
"Martha's Girls", Laura, Nancy and Holly, were devoted to their mother all of their lives. They knew how lucky they were to have her as their mother. In her honor, they have devoted their lives to teaching, counseling and feeding children in need. Martha's legacy will continue through them.
Martha was resilient and always fought for people in need with unwavering compassion. She worked hard and loved unconditionally. In her final years, she was blessed to have a wonderful team of caregivers and her family, known as "Team Mattie". The family would like to thank Meg, Dominique, Yolonda, Miryam and Chris for their love and devotion.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Gene Neal, who she loved and missed dearly for the rest of her life, and her siblings Judy, Jim, Jack and Nancy. She is survived by her children, Laura Ann Neal Heiss, Nancy Jean Neal Brann, and her husband, Russ Brann, and Holly Anna Neal Kennedy, and her husband, William Kennedy, as well as her grandchildren Hunter, Hillary, Dan, Kacie, Ryan, Grayson, Ross and Anna.
A private funeral was held at Greenwood Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX. Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army at ; or Ridglea Christian Church at ; .
She was born June 7, 1934 in Fulton, KY, to Sebra and Roberta Evans. Martha attended Texas Christian University, where she was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta and the Ranch Week Queen. She made many lifelong friends at TCU and remained a devoted football fan for the rest of her life. She completed her degree in physical therapy at the University of Texas at Galveston in 1955.
In her youth, Martha excelled academically and athletically. Her father was an amateur magician and she was always an eager assistant in his weekend magic acts. As the fourth of five children, she took care of her younger sister, Nancy. Martha adored her sister and they were constant companions. Martha even named one of her daughters Nancy.
For her hard work and intelligence, Martha was awarded a one-year academic scholarship to TCU. She boarded the train from Memphis, Tennessee to Fort Worth, Texas with $5.00 in her pocket and one dress. She arrived on campus and instantly found new friends. She ended up being one of five Martha's in her science class, so to avoid confusion she became known as "Tennessee".
In her first year, "Tennessee" made straight A's in her pre-med classes and joined Kappa Alpha Theta with her best friend Sally Renshaw, who remained her close friend for 66 years. When Martha's one-year scholarship ended, she continued to work at the TCU bookstore so she could stay close to her friends. The TCU President's secretary saw this and sprang into action. She reached out to alumni and found someone to cover Martha's education for the remainder of her time at TCU. That anonymous donor not only changed the course of Martha's life, but the lives of the thousands of people Martha helped.
After college, Martha married Orville Gene Neal, who she met on a blind date at TCU. As a young physical therapist, Martha worked at Easter Seals with children recovering from Polio and managing the challenges of Cerebral Palsy. She took a break from physical therapy to raise her three girls Laura, Nancy, and Holly. Once the girls were old enough, Martha began seeing patients in her own home so she could help the infirm while simultaneously caring for her children.
In the 1980's, when her girls were heading off to college, she began to work with the elderly in local hospitals and nursing homes. Many physical therapists preferred to work with younger patients, but Martha understood that these older patients needed companionship as much as therapy. She took the time to have coffee with them, listen to their stories, sing with them and try to connect with them on a personal level. She treated everyone with dignity, respect and compassion. Her patients and their families loved her, and although Martha retired at the age of 67, she continued to receive job offers for the next ten years. Everyone wanted Martha.
Throughout her life, Martha loved sports. She was a great tennis player and excelled at racquetball. She coached all three of her daughters in softball and volunteered at the Benbrook Recreation Association for many years. She was a huge TCU football fan and was a co-founder of the TCU Women's Football Clinic to teach other women about the game so they could enjoy it as much as she did. She and Orville loved their TCU tailgates with family and friends, and she continued to attend games at the age of 84.
Martha was involved in many groups, including the Salvation Army, Mother Knitters, Birthday Beauties, Ridglea Christian Church Bible Studies and TCU Women Exe's. She was also a member of Ridglea Country Club, where she enjoyed countless dinners with family and friends.
She adored her grandchildren. She attended almost every game and performance she could, cheering them on and loving every minute of it. Together, they played countless games of dominoes, gin rummy, darts, bowling and anything that was competitive. All eight of her grandchildren enjoyed her great sense of humor and always felt loved.
"Martha's Girls", Laura, Nancy and Holly, were devoted to their mother all of their lives. They knew how lucky they were to have her as their mother. In her honor, they have devoted their lives to teaching, counseling and feeding children in need. Martha's legacy will continue through them.
Martha was resilient and always fought for people in need with unwavering compassion. She worked hard and loved unconditionally. In her final years, she was blessed to have a wonderful team of caregivers and her family, known as "Team Mattie". The family would like to thank Meg, Dominique, Yolonda, Miryam and Chris for their love and devotion.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Gene Neal, who she loved and missed dearly for the rest of her life, and her siblings Judy, Jim, Jack and Nancy. She is survived by her children, Laura Ann Neal Heiss, Nancy Jean Neal Brann, and her husband, Russ Brann, and Holly Anna Neal Kennedy, and her husband, William Kennedy, as well as her grandchildren Hunter, Hillary, Dan, Kacie, Ryan, Grayson, Ross and Anna.
Martha "Tennessee" Ann Evans Neal passed away March 31, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas surrounded by her loving family and friends.
A private funeral was held at Greenwood Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX. Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army at ; or Ridglea Christian Church at ; .
She was born June 7, 1934 in Fulton, KY, to Sebra and Roberta Evans. Martha attended Texas Christian University, where she was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta and the Ranch Week Queen. She made many lifelong friends at TCU and remained a devoted football fan for the rest of her life. She completed her degree in physical therapy at the University of Texas at Galveston in 1955.
In her youth, Martha excelled academically and athletically. Her father was an amateur magician and she was always an eager assistant in his weekend magic acts. As the fourth of five children, she took care of her younger sister, Nancy. Martha adored her sister and they were constant companions. Martha even named one of her daughters Nancy.
For her hard work and intelligence, Martha was awarded a one-year academic scholarship to TCU. She boarded the train from Memphis, Tennessee to Fort Worth, Texas with $5.00 in her pocket and one dress. She arrived on campus and instantly found new friends. She ended up being one of five Martha's in her science class, so to avoid confusion she became known as "Tennessee".
In her first year, "Tennessee" made straight A's in her pre-med classes and joined Kappa Alpha Theta with her best friend Sally Renshaw, who remained her close friend for 66 years. When Martha's one-year scholarship ended, she continued to work at the TCU bookstore so she could stay close to her friends. The TCU President's secretary saw this and sprang into action. She reached out to alumni and found someone to cover Martha's education for the remainder of her time at TCU. That anonymous donor not only changed the course of Martha's life, but the lives of the thousands of people Martha helped.
After college, Martha married Orville Gene Neal, who she met on a blind date at TCU. As a young physical therapist, Martha worked at Easter Seals with children recovering from Polio and managing the challenges of Cerebral Palsy. She took a break from physical therapy to raise her three girls Laura, Nancy, and Holly. Once the girls were old enough, Martha began seeing patients in her own home so she could help the infirm while simultaneously caring for her children.
In the 1980's, when her girls were heading off to college, she began to work with the elderly in local hospitals and nursing homes. Many physical therapists preferred to work with younger patients, but Martha understood that these older patients needed companionship as much as therapy. She took the time to have coffee with them, listen to their stories, sing with them and try to connect with them on a personal level. She treated everyone with dignity, respect and compassion. Her patients and their families loved her, and although Martha retired at the age of 67, she continued to receive job offers for the next ten years. Everyone wanted Martha.
Throughout her life, Martha loved sports. She was a great tennis player and excelled at racquetball. She coached all three of her daughters in softball and volunteered at the Benbrook Recreation Association for many years. She was a huge TCU football fan and was a co-founder of the TCU Women's Football Clinic to teach other women about the game so they could enjoy it as much as she did. She and Orville loved their TCU tailgates with family and friends, and she continued to attend games at the age of 84.
Martha was involved in many groups, including the Salvation Army, Mother Knitters, Birthday Beauties, Ridglea Christian Church Bible Studies and TCU Women Exe's. She was also a member of Ridglea Country Club, where she enjoyed countless dinners with family and friends.
She adored her grandchildren. She attended almost every game and performance she could, cheering them on and loving every minute of it. Together, they played countless games of dominoes, gin rummy, darts, bowling and anything that was competitive. All eight of her grandchildren enjoyed her great sense of humor and always felt loved.
"Martha's Girls", Laura, Nancy and Holly, were devoted to their mother all of their lives. They knew how lucky they were to have her as their mother. In her honor, they have devoted their lives to teaching, counseling and feeding children in need. Martha's legacy will continue through them.
Martha was resilient and always fought for people in need with unwavering compassion. She worked hard and loved unconditionally. In her final years, she was blessed to have a wonderful team of caregivers and her family, known as "Team Mattie". The family would like to thank Meg, Dominique, Yolonda, Miryam and Chris for their love and devotion.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Gene Neal, who she loved and missed dearly for the rest of her life, and her siblings Judy, Jim, Jack and Nancy. She is survived by her children, Laura Ann Neal Heiss, Nancy Jean Neal Brann, and her husband, Russ Brann, and Holly Anna Neal Kennedy, and her husband, William Kennedy, as well as her grandchildren Hunter, Hillary, Dan, Kacie, Ryan, Grayson, Ross and Anna.
A private funeral was held at Greenwood Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX. Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army at ; or Ridglea Christian Church at ; .
She was born June 7, 1934 in Fulton, KY, to Sebra and Roberta Evans. Martha attended Texas Christian University, where she was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta and the Ranch Week Queen. She made many lifelong friends at TCU and remained a devoted football fan for the rest of her life. She completed her degree in physical therapy at the University of Texas at Galveston in 1955.
In her youth, Martha excelled academically and athletically. Her father was an amateur magician and she was always an eager assistant in his weekend magic acts. As the fourth of five children, she took care of her younger sister, Nancy. Martha adored her sister and they were constant companions. Martha even named one of her daughters Nancy.
For her hard work and intelligence, Martha was awarded a one-year academic scholarship to TCU. She boarded the train from Memphis, Tennessee to Fort Worth, Texas with $5.00 in her pocket and one dress. She arrived on campus and instantly found new friends. She ended up being one of five Martha's in her science class, so to avoid confusion she became known as "Tennessee".
In her first year, "Tennessee" made straight A's in her pre-med classes and joined Kappa Alpha Theta with her best friend Sally Renshaw, who remained her close friend for 66 years. When Martha's one-year scholarship ended, she continued to work at the TCU bookstore so she could stay close to her friends. The TCU President's secretary saw this and sprang into action. She reached out to alumni and found someone to cover Martha's education for the remainder of her time at TCU. That anonymous donor not only changed the course of Martha's life, but the lives of the thousands of people Martha helped.
After college, Martha married Orville Gene Neal, who she met on a blind date at TCU. As a young physical therapist, Martha worked at Easter Seals with children recovering from Polio and managing the challenges of Cerebral Palsy. She took a break from physical therapy to raise her three girls Laura, Nancy, and Holly. Once the girls were old enough, Martha began seeing patients in her own home so she could help the infirm while simultaneously caring for her children.
In the 1980's, when her girls were heading off to college, she began to work with the elderly in local hospitals and nursing homes. Many physical therapists preferred to work with younger patients, but Martha understood that these older patients needed companionship as much as therapy. She took the time to have coffee with them, listen to their stories, sing with them and try to connect with them on a personal level. She treated everyone with dignity, respect and compassion. Her patients and their families loved her, and although Martha retired at the age of 67, she continued to receive job offers for the next ten years. Everyone wanted Martha.
Throughout her life, Martha loved sports. She was a great tennis player and excelled at racquetball. She coached all three of her daughters in softball and volunteered at the Benbrook Recreation Association for many years. She was a huge TCU football fan and was a co-founder of the TCU Women's Football Clinic to teach other women about the game so they could enjoy it as much as she did. She and Orville loved their TCU tailgates with family and friends, and she continued to attend games at the age of 84.
Martha was involved in many groups, including the Salvation Army, Mother Knitters, Birthday Beauties, Ridglea Christian Church Bible Studies and TCU Women Exe's. She was also a member of Ridglea Country Club, where she enjoyed countless dinners with family and friends.
She adored her grandchildren. She attended almost every game and performance she could, cheering them on and loving every minute of it. Together, they played countless games of dominoes, gin rummy, darts, bowling and anything that was competitive. All eight of her grandchildren enjoyed her great sense of humor and always felt loved.
"Martha's Girls", Laura, Nancy and Holly, were devoted to their mother all of their lives. They knew how lucky they were to have her as their mother. In her honor, they have devoted their lives to teaching, counseling and feeding children in need. Martha's legacy will continue through them.
Martha was resilient and always fought for people in need with unwavering compassion. She worked hard and loved unconditionally. In her final years, she was blessed to have a wonderful team of caregivers and her family, known as "Team Mattie". The family would like to thank Meg, Dominique, Yolonda, Miryam and Chris for their love and devotion.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Gene Neal, who she loved and missed dearly for the rest of her life, and her siblings Judy, Jim, Jack and Nancy. She is survived by her children, Laura Ann Neal Heiss, Nancy Jean Neal Brann, and her husband, Russ Brann, and Holly Anna Neal Kennedy, and her husband, William Kennedy, as well as her grandchildren Hunter, Hillary, Dan, Kacie, Ryan, Grayson, Ross and Anna.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
