Beatrice Belle Neely

Beatrice (Bea) B. Neely, 92, of New Holland, PA, passed away on September 3, 2026, at Garden Spot Village. Bea was born in Hastings, MI, to her late parents, Fred B. and Beatrice B. Bowerman. Her late husband, John (Jack) D. Neely III, passed away in December of 2018.

Bea developed bone cancer and at the age of 12, had her left arm, shoulder, collarbone, and shoulder blade removed. After recovery, her father told her that she was still responsible for all her chores on the family farm. This started a lifelong determination to do everything, and more, that a 2-armed person could do. She had already asked Jesus into her heart and used her ‘deficit’ to His Glory. She had a love for Missions and financially supported many people to go tell the Good News. She was also one of the founding developers of God’s Special Children at her home church, Aldan Union Church. Many children with various “Special Needs” were bussed in from nearby towns and taught how Jesus loved them just as they were. Her own grandson eventually entered the class.

After her graduation from Bob Jones University with a teaching degree in English, Bea employed her education as a public-school English teacher and then a librarian. In her spare time Bea enjoyed counted cross stitch, embroidery and various other crafts, as well as reading. She also refinished furniture, painted the house and sewed clothes. Bea sold items for Avon, Fuller Brush, Sarah Coventry and others. Mom also babysat two little boys. Bea and Jack were best known for their joyful effort of decorating at Christmas. Each year had a theme, and they would go all out decorating and hosting lunches and dinners. They loved having family and friends over for entertainment. Bea’s favorite place was probably the kitchen where she enjoyed cooking and baking. She had MANY cookbooks, and Bea would read them like novels, and the recipes would provide her with inspiration. Bea loved to sing. Growing up, Bea and her sisters would sing on the radio and as an adult, she sang in the church choirs. She was a member of the Community Church of Garden Spot Village.

Bea is survived by her children: Pam Kellmer (Rod) of Blandon, PA, Jeff Neely (Donna) of Pensacola, FL, and Ken Neely (Diane) of Brookhaven, PA. She is also survived by her five grandchildren: Abby Hurley, Katrina Kellmer, Jeffrey Neely (Lindsey), Benjamin Neely, and Cole Neely, and her four great grandchildren: Emerson Hurley, Beatrice Hurley, Miles Hurley, and Frederick Neely. Bea is also survived by her sister Linda Dykstra, sister-in-law Patricia A. Snyder, and a host of wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Bea was predeceased by her siblings, Lucena Ward, Agnes Montgomery, Joyce Welton, and Fred L. Bowerman.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, beginning at 2PM, at the Garden Spot Village Chapel, 433 South Kinzer Avenue, New Holland, with Chaplain Chet Yoder officiating. A private inurnment will take place in the Memorial Garden at Garden Spot Village.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions in Bea’s memory be made to: Handi*Vangelism Ministries International at https://www.hvmi.org/onlinegiving or at P.O. Box 122, Akron, PA 17501, Memo Line: In Memory of Bea Neely or to: Garden Spot Village Benevolence Fund, 433 South Kinzer Ave, New Holland, PA 17557, Memo Line: In memory of Bea Neely. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland.