Martha (Holland) Neely

Martha H. Neely, 94, of Statesville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. Martha was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James M. Holland.

A Statesville native where she graduated from Statesville High School and attended Mitchell College. She then attended and graduated from Richmond, VA Professional Institute where she studied Interior Design. She completed her graduate work at Parson’s school of Design in New York, returning home to work in furniture and interior design.

Martha was a talented artist who dearly enjoyed painting with a true love for nature and flowers. She enjoyed walking on the beach and finding seashells, working with flowers and creating beautiful flower arrangements for her church and friends. Her love of nature enabled her boys to bring home and carry just about any animal or living thing into the home.

She was a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church and a member of The Colonial Dames.

Most importantly, Martha was a wonderful mom and a genuinely graceful, loving person that will be truly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband Pinkney Maxwell Neely and their daughter Marcia Neely Gilbert. Also, her parents and a sister, Betty Collier Holland.  She is survived by two sons, James Holland Neely and wife Ginger Johnson Neely, along with William Maxwell Neely and wife Tamera Massey Neely. A son in law James Munro Gilbert, grandson Jame s Grant Gilbert and wife Lauren Pirrung Gilbert, great grandsons Robert Pierce Gilbert , Mark Maxwell Gilbert and Smith Burgess Gilbert, granddaughter Neely Gilbert Whiteside and husband Brooks Monroe Whiteside, great grandson Grady Monroe Whiteside and great granddaughter Blair Marcia Whiteside . Martha was also survived by her two beloved feline companions Flash and Checkers.

The family would like to offer a special thanks for the gracious care and love received by her dear friends Kelli Rowland, Magdalene Baily, Natalie Marsh, Angie Miller and Lynn Daniels.

Due to covid and Martha’s desires there will be a private family memorial service Saturday January 29.

Memorials may be given to Trinity Episcopal Church - 801 Henkel Road – Statesville, NC, 28677 or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com

Trinity Episcopal Church
801 Henkel Rd., Statesville NC 28677