Barbara Bates (Bates) Neff

Barbara Bates Neff, 89, of Nacogdoches, TX formerly of Houston, TX, passed away on June 3, 2023, in Tyler, TX.

A Memorial Service for Barbara will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, June 24 at St. Francis Episcopal Church,  in Houston, TX,  with Rev Stuart Hoke, Rev Stuart Bates, and Rev Shanna Neff, officiating.   The burial will be at a later date at Nat Cemetery. Arrangements are by Dickie Allen Funeral Home.

Barbara was born in El Campo, TX to Byford and Jessie Bates on December 15, 1933.  She graduated from Cushing High School and Stephen F Austin State University. She married Louis (Len) Neff on December 21, 1952, in Nacogdoches, TX.

Barbara was one who lived out our baptismal Covenant “to love and respect the dignity of All people”.  She demonstrated her love for God and God’s children throughout her life.  She was valedictorian of her high school class at Cushing High School and received her bachelor’s degree in education at Stephen F Austin State University.  While at Stephen F Austin Barbara was editor of the Pine Log where she met Len and was also a member of Alpha Psi Omega National Honor Society.  After graduating she was a schoolteacher, drama teacher and was office manager at Len’s medical practice in Houston.  Most important to her was the raising of her five children and whomever else showed up at her doorstep.   She was very active in the Episcopal church at the local, state and national level. She served as the Director of Acolytes, on the Vestry, Search Committee, ECW, Standing Committee, GOE reader, Seminary Board at the Seminary of the Southwest, delegate at the General Convention as well as various other committees.  She enjoyed traveling all over Texas giving book reviews or talks regarding the importance of lay ministry.  She was instrumental in getting women approved for ordination into the priesthood and a staunch supporter of LGBTQ rights both in the church and our communities.  She held multiple positions in Girl Scouts and enjoyed numerous sports, especially the sports that her children and grandchildren were participating in.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Byford and Jessie Bates and her husband Louis Neff.  

Barbara is survived by her son William (Bill) Neff (Christie), and daughters Maron Neff (Tracey), Shanna Neff, Stacy Burk (Bryan), Shelley Rueff (Colin), Grandchildren Kate (Gage), Hannah (Carlos), Andie (Jackie), Sinclair (Joshua), Rachel (David), Lynn, Haley (Ryan), Cameron (Sammi Jo), Dylan, Eli, and Caroline and Great Grandchildren Keaton, Lorelei, Oakley, Tripp, Dawson and Connor

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Hospice of East Texas, Seminary of the Southwest, any conservation, or animal rescue of your choice.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Magnolia Court and Hospice of East Texas.

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