OBITUARY: Frances ‘Laddie’ Harton Neil

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Frances “Laddie” Harton Neil (Mrs. A. B. Neil, Jr), passed away on January 11, 2025.

Laddie was born August 15, 1928 in Tullahoma, Tennessee to John W. and Frances Lewis Harton.

Laddie began her Christian journey at First Baptist Church where she became a member at the age of 11. She attended South Jackson Street School and graduated from Tullahoma High School in 1946. She was Homecoming Queen at Castle Heights Military Academy in 1945.

After high school, she attended Ward Belmont Junior College in Nashville, Tennessee and afterward graduated from the University of Mississippi “Hotty Toddy”, in 1950. At Ole Miss, Laddie was a member of Delta Delta Delta and served as president her senior year. Upon returning to Tennessee she married a young lawyer, A. B. Neil Jr., on November 1, 1952 at First Baptist Church in Tullahoma. God, church, family, and friends meant everything to Laddie. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church for 72 years.

She was a fifty year member of the Campbell Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, where she served as State Regent, Organizing Secretary, Historian, Chaplain, and National VC Membership Chair. Laddie was an active community volunteer as a member of Singing Hills Garden Club, Centennial Club, Current Events, Cheekwood, Ladies Hermitage Association, Opera Guild, Girl Scouts and Fannie Battle Day Home. She served on the Harding Academy Board of Trustees, Ward Belmont Alumnae Advisory Committee and was Auxiliary President of Belmont University. She was a dedicated member of Monteagle Sunday School Assembly where she served on the board.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, A. B. Neil Jr.; brother, John Harton Jr.; and sisters Alice Harton Ratcliffe, and Nancy Harton Washburn.

She is survived by sons A. B. Neil “Bram” III (Beth) of Maryville, TN and John Harton Neil (Ruth) of Greenville, SC, and daughter Nancy Neil Adcock (Dennis) of Lebanon, TN; Grandsons Albert Bramlett Neil IV and James Benton “J.B.” Neil; Granddaughters Laddie Neil Smith (Benji), Lyndon Neil Merritt (Clark), Nancy Ballentine Neil and step-granddaughters Amber Adcock Haskin (Ben) and Allison Adcock Ortiz (Jazz); four great-grandchildren, James Mercer Merritt, Sara Boone Merritt, Nona Pierce Merritt, and Murray Ruth Smith. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and their families.

Visitation will be held in Nashville on Thursday, January 16th from 5:00-7:00 PM at Immanuel Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 17th at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Church with Pastor Steven Meriweather officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn

Special love to Laddie’s dear friend Alice Ann Barge, her church family, loving neighbors and the many friends she cherished during her 96 years. The family is also grateful to Jo Ann Bunch Caregivers’ Bridgett, Rachel, Lendora, Monique, Ebony and Greta for their care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Boulevard, Nashville, TN, 37205 or Orange Grove Center, 615 Derby Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37404.

 

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