Emogene Powell McNeely

Emogene Powell McNeely, 89, died July 20, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia.

She was born Jan 12, 1929 in Morganton, N.C. to the late Clifford L and Marie Kincaid Powell of Valdese, N.C.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Irwin Hollar McNeely, M.D. of Franklin, Virginia.

She is survived by daughter, Pamela Griffith and husband Dennis of Franklin, Virginia; daughter, Mitzi Montgomery and husband David of Naples, Florida; son, Irwin (Neil) H. McNeely Jr. and his wife Carol of Christiansburg, Virginia.

She was blessed with four grandchildren, John Blythe of Franklin, Virginia; Kelly Cobb of Naples, Florida; Irwin H. (Trey) McNeely, III and Rachel McNeely of Christiansburg, Virginia; and with four great grandchildren, Jacob, Mia, and Lucas Blythe of Franklin, Virginia; and Devin Oetman of Naples, Florida; Cousin Jack Cook and his wife Ellen of Hickory, N.C.; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

She received her early education in the public schools of Valdese, North Carolina, her BA degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her Masters in Education from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia.

Jean, as she liked to be called, worked at Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, as a laboratory technician. She taught Biology in Roanoke, Virginia City Schools; Franklin, Virginia City Schools and Southampton County Schools. She co-founded and was principal broker at Venture Properties Inc. in Franklin, Virginia.  She served as president of The Suffolk-Franklin Board of Realtors and was on their Board of Directors for many years.  She was a member of The Chamber of Commerce in Franklin, Virginia and served on their board. Jean was a member of High Street United Methodist Church and the Franklin Garden Club.

Jean loved to travel, to sew and knit, take family beach trips, attend sporting events with her husband, and most of all, she loved to meet people.  She never met a stranger.

A service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Franklin, Virginia, on Friday, August 10, 2018 at 2 PM. There will be a reception to follow at the church. The entombment will follow at Burk Memorial Park Mausoleum, Morganton, North Carolina on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 2 PM.  There will be a reception to follow at Friday Friends.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all who offered their prayers and support, the staff at Warm Hearth Village, and to Cynthia Hayes and Cindy Dawkins for their love, care, and friendship in her final year.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Dr. Greensboro, NC 27407 or High Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 218, Franklin, VA 23851.