Miriam Watson McNeely

1927 - 2020

Miriam Watson McNeely transitioned peacefully to her eternal life, with Jesus, Saturday, May 2nd, with her daughter Connie by her side at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. Miriam was born, March 22, 1927, to Ruth Lane Milner and Emory Buie Watson in Jonesboro NC. Miriam was Valedictorian of her High School senior class, and went on to graduate from Flora MacDonald College, with a bachelor's degree in Organ, and was President of her class. Upon graduation, she accepted a position of Organist/Secretary at First Presbyterian Church and moved to Mooresville in 1948. There she met and married the love of her life, Asa Thurston McNeely, where they began raising children at the McNeely homeplace on Academy St., then moving to the farm in Mount Ulla just outside of Mooresville in 1955. Miriam served First Presbyterian Church for the next 45 years as organist, Director of Christian Education, Stephen Minister, Deacon, Elder, Spiritual Advisor, friend, or whatever needed to be done to serve her Lord. Apart from her professional career, she was a loving and faithful mother, wife, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and special friend to countless people. Her legacy of encouragement and joyfulness making everyone feel special will live on for many years to come. She is remembered for her love and devotion to Jesus Christ that directed her life. She was preceded in death by her son, Milner Watson McNeely, her husband, Asa Thurston McNeely, and her brother, Emory Milner Watson. She is survived by her children, Asa Thurston McNeely, Jr. and wife Gwen, Constance (Connie) McNeely May and husband Harvey Craig May III, Mark Emory McNeely and wife Jen; and former daughter-in-law, Susan Mace. Grandchildren, Asa Thurston McNeely, III and wife Marissa, Wiley McNeely Revis and husband Brandon, Harvey Craig May IV and wife, Kate, William Thurston May, Emory Thurston McNeely and fiancé Hannah Hutchens, Connor Brian McNeely, and Anna Marie McNeely; great grandchildren Levi McNeely and Brodie Revis. Services: 2:00 PM Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, Mooresville, with the Rev. Dr. David F. Rockness officiating. A private internment will take place immediately preceding the service at Glenwood Cemetery, Mooresville. A live-stream of the service will be made available. Memorial: The family would encourage any gifts or memorials to be directed in her name to: First Presbyterian Church, 249 W. McLelland Ave, Mooresville, NC 28115-3132; Funds will be dispersed through the Missions Committee of First Presbyterian Church Mooresville after the family has had time to consider recipients. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the McNeely family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.