Nowata Star
126 E. Cherokee St.
Nowata, OK 74048
April 18, 2001
Permission for archiving obituaries given by Phillip Reid, Publisher

Graveside services for Edith Nellie Neff, 95 and a long time Nowata resident who died Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at the Jane Phillips Nowata Health Center were held Thursday, April 12 at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery with Ben Killion officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata.

Edith began this life March 29, 1906 in Moran, Kansas as the daughter of Will Thomas and Mary Baker Wood. She was the oldest of six children so she was always busy helping with the younger children. She met and later was united in marriage with Fred E. Neff on April 2, 1926 at Iola, Kansas. They moved to Seminole as Fred was employed with Prairie Pipe Line, which later became Sinclair Oil Company. Mr. and Mrs. Neff moved to Nowata in 1953.

Mrs. Neff had been a member of the Methodist Church since she was 12 years old. Edith always took part in Church activities and since she loved children, taught Sunday School from Kindergarten to High School age. Mrs. Neff became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in 1932 and transferred her membership to Sunrise Chapter #22 when she moved to Nowata. Edith enjoyed playing Bridge and she was a loving and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Neff will be missed and remembered by her family and friends for the life she lived.

Mrs. Neff is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Jimbo Todd of Talala; two granddaughters: Vicki Mendell and her husband Curtis of Nowata and Shari Todd of Denver, Colorado; her great-grandchildren: Whitney, Bo, Spencer, and Janie; by two brothers: Clarence Wood of Salt Lake City, Utah and Carrel Baker of Elsmore, Kansas; by two sisters: Elsie Henry of Garnett, Kansas and Lula Mow of Moses Lake, Washington; by many nieces and nephews; by many other relatives and her many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred E. Neff on February 15, 1976; by her parents, Will and Mary Wood and one brother, Lewis Wood.