Death was a Revival of What it Means to be a Child of God Eternally

In a world where tradition is becoming more difficult to define, our faith was refreshed at the recent funeral of Betty Bellamy Neeley. For a multitude of people on earth, and in Heaven, knowing Betty was one of life’s greatest blessings. Being one hundred years old, she was a Methodist pastor’s daughter during a time unlike most folks would ever know. Those years of sacrifice for the cause of Christ gave her a true foundation, and a perfect love for the Lord and His church.

Betty was married to the Reverend Sam Neeley, and he was the love of her life. With a smile on her face, and a twinkle in her blue eyes, she once told me that Sam was not a pastor when they married, but she made him one. All who knew Sam as their pastor would say, “Well done Betty.”

For several years, the district had a Christmas Banquet for pastors and their spouse. Betty quietly paid the cost for all who were there because she knew how much something like that blesses and encourages a pastor’s family. She and Sam loved the United Methodist Church, and together they left fingerprints of ministry and devotion throughout the Holston Conference and all around the world.

As we worshiped, I could easily imagine that she was rejoicing among the fruit of her labor. Both Rev Adam Love, and Rev Caleb Frazier, who were themselves nourished in ministry by her, delivered a message that allowed precious memories of Betty’s life to bring us near to the heart of God. The music, anthem, and acts of worship brought back a former glory that has been misplaced somewhere in time. Leave it to Betty to bring it back to us as a final gift in worship.

John Wesley once said that “Methodist die well.” For Betty Neeley, even her death was a revival of what it means to be a child of God.

“Servant of God, well done!
Thy glorious warfare’s past;
the battle’s fought, the race is won,
and thou art crowned at last;”