Marilyn Amelia James Neathery, 82, of Beaumont, died Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Beaumont, Texas.  She was born on October 20, 1932, in Ruston, Louisiana, to Jessie Mary Broadwell James and Francis Henderson James, Sr. Because her father was a Sugar Engineer (LSU), she lived in Boca Chica, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) until she was five, then moved to Salsburg Plantation, Welcome, Louisiana. In 1946, the family moved to Bagatelle, 1840 Manor House of the former Union Plantation, at Union, Louisiana. She attended elementary and middle school in St. James, Louisiana, where she was active in the 4-H club, winning a trip to Kansas City when she was fourteen. She graduated as co-valedictorian of the Class of 1950 of Donaldsonville High School, Donaldsonville, Louisiana.

She married James “Jim” Byron Neathery, Sr. on July 28, 1950, at First Methodist Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. They lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before moving to Beaumont, Texas, in the fall of 1959.

Marilyn was active in First Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and First United Methodist Church in Beaumont, Texas. She served as president of the Woman’s Society of Christian Service in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and of the United Methodist Women in Beaumont. She was a member of the Alpha Omega Class for fifty-five years and was presented the “Honor Member” award in 1965. She served as president in 1965-66. She was the commentator of Alpha Omega Style Show for nine years. In 1974, she handmade the funeral pall used at First United Methodist Church, paraments and subsequently two needle point kneelers for the Sanctuary and Chapel. She also made a banner used during advent and was an organizing member of the Altar Guild serving for thirty years. She authored a chapter in the award winning “With a Dome More Vast”, history of First United Methodist Church, Beaumont, Texas, published in 1985. She was an officer in the WSCS Circles and UMW Subgroups and Church Women United.

She served as an officer on the City Council PTA and on the PTA Boards at Sallie Curtis, Regina-Howell, Marshall Middle School and Forest Park High School. Her community service is also exemplified in-kind at All Saints Episcopal School and Monsignor Kelly High School. She was a resource volunteer for the volunteers in Public Schools in BISD, specializing in Pioneer and Antebellum Plantation Life. She was very proud to have led the Beaumont, USA program at Bowie and Odom Middle schools.

She served as assistant Den Mother in the Cub Scouts for both her sons, as well as, Team Mother for baseball teams in the West End Little League. She was co-leader of her daughter’s Campfire Girls group, president of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Mothers’ Club at Lamar University 1972-1973, and President of the Beaumont Texas A&M Mothers’ Club 1987-88.

She was president of the Beaumont Heritage Society 1979-80, helping to initiate Spindletop Boom Days Festival at Gladys City, President of the Heritage Museum League and Chairperson of the Heritage Society’s Antique Show in 1982. She was docent at the John Jay French Museum for ten years, a Docent at the grand opening of the Gladys City Boomtown Museum in 1976, and served as a docent in the first class at the McFaddin-Ward Historic House Museum in 1985-86, and afterward for thirty years. She served on the board of the Gallery Guild of the Beaumont Art Museum 1985-92 (AMSET) receiving a volunteer award in 1991. She also served on the boards of the Tyrrell Historical Library Association, Inc. and the Texas Gulf Historical Society and was an organizing member of the Beaumont History Conference. She served as chairperson of site registration for sixteen years.

She was a volunteer for the Mothers March of Dimes (1950’s), and also, for the United Appeals, American Cancer Society and United Citizens for Law Enforcement (1960’s). She served as President of the Epsilon Chapter of the Delphian Society in1963, and of the Own A Book Club.

Marilyn was a devoted mother and wife supporting the activities of her children, her church, and her community. She was an excellent cook and seamstress, and especially enjoyed designing and executing crewel embroidery for friends, the church, and other special events. 

Survivors include her husband, Jim Neathery; children, Nancy Lynn Neathery Flores and her husband, Judge G. R. “Lupe” Flores, of Beaumont; James Byron Neathery, Jr. of Beaumont; Charles Miller Neathery and his wife, Marlene´ Marshall Neathery, of Dallas; sister, Anne James Preator of Las Vegas, Nevada; brothers, Francis Henderson James and his wife, Enola Marie Schexnayder James, of Nederland; Dr. Trenton L. James II and his wife, Kay Sundbury James, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; grandchildren, G. James “Jamie” Flores and wife, Erin; Christopher “Chris” Hansel Flores and wife, Kayce; Andrew “Andy” Michael Flores, all of Beaumont; James Byron Neathery III of Austin; Kyle Marshall Neathery of Dallas; Trenton Kelly Neathery of Dallas; great-grandchildren, Jacob Hansel Flores; Karlie Seymour; Natalie Seymour; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her first child, a daughter, was stillborn.         

A memorial service for Mrs. Neathery will be 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. Her cremation is under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, with private entombment of her cremated body at Green Oaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3247 Beaumont, Texas, 77704, Some Other Place through FUMC at above address, Beaumont Heritage Society, 3025 French Rd. Beaumont, Texas, 77706, or the Tyrrell Historical Library Association, Inc. P.O. Box 12563, Beaumont, Texas, 77726-2563.