Nancy Brooks Neild passed away peacefully at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston on June 9, 2016, in the loving presence of her family.
Born April 19, 1937, in Beaumont, Texas, to Dorothy Goodin Brooks and Henry Carlisle Brooks, Nancy received her grade-school education in Beaumont public schools, graduating from Beaumont High School in 1955. She attended the University of Texas, where she became a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. At the University, she was named a member of the Orange Jackets, a women’s honorary organization, and a recipient of the Cactus Goodfellow Award for outstanding students. She later attended Lamar University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history. She was subsequently employed as Director of Advertising and Public Relations at American Real Estate Corporation and Vice President for Public Affairs and Marketing at Hibernia Bank (currently Capital One). She later held the position of Vice President for Community Relations at BBVA Compass Bank.
Nancy was an extraordinary community leader, known for her extensive commitment to charitable and civic causes. If she saw a need, she invariably took steps to fill it; if she saw a wrong, she acted to right it. In 2003, she served as a founding board member of the Beaumont Community Partners for Abused and Neglected Children, sponsoring 125 "Rainbow Rooms" and the "Adopt a Caseworker" program. She also served on that organization’s State Advisory Board, receiving the Volunteer Call to Service award from the President of the United States in 2004. Education was another of Nancy’s major interests; she was a member of the Beaumont Public Schools Foundation, the Beaumont Independent School District’s Long Range Goal Setting Committee, and a founding member of Quality Education Beaumont.
Nancy’s home town was still another of her abiding concerns. In 1975, she served as General Chairman of the citywide Kaleidoscope Creative Arts Festival, and from 1986-88, she held the position of Membership Director for the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. She was also a founding member of Leadership Beaumont and a 1997 recipient of their Distinguished Graduate award. A sustaining member and past president of the Junior League of Beaumont, she received their Sustainer of the Year award in 2000.
Nancy also served as treasurer of the Texas Committee of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C., and as a board member of the Press Club of Southeast Texas, receiving numerous Excellence in Media awards. She was a member of the Lamar University Alumni Advisory Board; the Art Museum of Southeast Texas Advisory Board; and the Community Relations Board of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, US Justice Department, Federal Correction Complex. She also held board positions with the Julie Rogers "Gift of Life," the Symphony League of Beaumont, and the Symphony of Southeast Texas. She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
In addition to her charitable and civic accomplishments, Nancy loved reading, gardening, and her summer weeklong trips to the beach with her children and grandchildren. She has completed her earthly journey, but she will be remembered by her family and her host of friends and colleagues as God’s true servant, a brave, indomitable spirit, an unquenchable optimist, an inspiration to all as she faced her last, difficult battle, and a warm, loving, caring friend. She taught us how to face our own mortality with courage and grace, and she will be missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Rebecca Ann "Becky" Brooks. She is survived by her children, Franne Neild Stewart and husband Bennett, of Cypress, Texas; Catherine "Scootie" Neild Clark and husband Joe, of Beaumont, Texas; and Nancy Lee Neild Gupton and husband Wade, of Waco, Texas; and her grandchildren, Mary Catherine Clark and Will and Robert Gupton.
A visitation for Nancy will be held Monday, June 13, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Broussard’s Mortuary, 2000 McFaddin in Beaumont. Her memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 14, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Cremation is under the direction of Broussard’s Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Symphony of Southeast Texas, 4345 Phelan Blvd., Ste. 105, Beaumont, Texas, 77707; the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main St., Beaumont, Texas, 77701; or All Saints Episcopal School, 4108 Delaware, Beaumont, Texas, 77706.
