Jan. 11, 1944 – Aug. 18, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Madeleine “Leine” McNeely, 68, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, at Promise Hospital in Vidalia, will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Walton Jones officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until service time Thursday at the church.

Mrs. McNeely was born Jan. 11, 1944, in Greenville, the daughter of George Hunter Bell and Madeleine Dickson Bell.

Leine attended high school in Greenville and college at Mississippi State College for Women. She studied architecture at Mississippi State University. She was employed by architects in Greenville and for Charles Moroney in Natchez.

Leine enjoyed freelance drafting, renovating homes and buildings. Prior to moving to Natchez, she worked for IBM in Mobile and New York City. She enjoyed serving as a tour guide at Stanton Hall. For a number of years Leine taught math, science and art in Natchez and surrounding schools. Her passion for horses started at an early age. She enjoyed fox hunting and dressage with her horse, Prarie, and camping out with friends who shared her love for horses. She was a member of the Choula Houma Hunt Club.

We remember Leine for her love of nature including birds, butterflies, turtles and flowers.

Leine was a member of the Natchez Garden Club and an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, George H. Bell Jr.; and one daughter, Julia Viola McNeely.

Survivors include her husband, Thomas McNeely Jr.; one daughter, Jennifer L. Brantley and husband, Charles Ray Brantley Jr.; and three granddaughters, Rachel M. Gaspard, Lauren M. Gaspard and Jessica N. Brantley.

Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livington Lane, Jackson, MS 39213.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.