Mr. Joe Herbert Neeley

After a sudden illness, it has pleased God to call Mr. Joe Herbert Neeley home eight years after defeating all medical odds on Tuesday evening, September 16, 2025 in Texarkana, Texas with open arms at the age of 71. Edward James Neeley and Izebelle Mary Bingle welcomed Joe to their family on August 27, 1954 in Conroe, Texas raising him in farm work which the entire family contributed. As he grew up church was important. At one point his father went to a Pentecostal church and his mother attended the Baptist church directly across the street, so he learned to love singing gospel songs. Family meant the world to Joe. Finding the love of his life, Joe married Francis on May 6, 1993, and took care of her until she passed away on June 20, 2014. Although he did a variety of general labor jobs over the years, his last one was probably his favorite. He loved to sit on the side of the road selling watermelons and vegetables meeting and talking with the variety of people who stopped to buy which he did until 2017. His love of the outdoors and family, he made a habit of meeting some of his siblings at the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation for camping and fishing as often as he could. He also loved to play bingo with “Aunt Louise”. To him, quality time was his favorite times. His joy in staying with his “adopted grandkids” to help them out and be there for them could be seen on his face and heard in his voice. While trying to recover, Joe met Sister Annette and Brother Tom at church in his first nursing facility in The Woodlands. They were so dear to his heart for their compassion that he kept their picture on his wall at every place he lived after meeting. Everywhere he moved to, people enjoyed his kind and humorous personality. Being the special guy he was, no one ever wanted him to leave when he had to move. He was so happy and seemed to improve at Rose Haven Retreat in Atlanta, Texas forming friendships with staff who are devasted that he could not return home. Uncle Joe always had a way to make others smile and joke with others. He was honest and quirky. It was easy to see why people loved having him around. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Mary Neeley, wife Francis Mae, sister Eunice Bernice Barron (Judy Nash), brother Alford Neeley, brother Benjamin Neeley, and nephew Ira Dale Cooke. Devasted by his passing are brother Elbert Barron (Peewee), sister Rebecca Jean Neeley Hornsby, sister Connie Neeley, brother Johnny Neeley, half-brother Eddie Neeley and nieces Kawanah Cherry and husband Chuck and Rebekah Cooke, and great-niece Charissa May and husband Zach and their children. There truly are too many family and friends to list but also have hurting hearts. They will remember him fondly with love always. Honorary Pallbearers are Elbert Barron, Johnny Neeley, Mrs. Deb Freeman, Geoffrey Kohlhaas, Johnathan Nash, and Zachary Cooke. A memorial visitation for Mr. Neeley will be held from 10 - 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. Joe Herbert Neeley

August 27, 1954 - September 16, 2025