Florence Neely

Florence Neely, 87, of Folkston, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly on March 7, 2026, at Southeast Georgia Healthcare System in Camden County following a brief illness. Born on January 10, 1939, in Traders Hill, Georgia, to the late Sam and Leola Bailey Spatcher, she grew up with a deep and abiding faith. She accepted the Lord at the age of 13 at Zion Sisters Baptist Church and, at 18, joined Mt. New Home Missionary Baptist Church, where she became an active member of the choir.

Florence was first married to the late Eugene Neely, with whom she had three children: Franklin E. Neely (Dilly), Melvin “Bubba” Louis Neely, and Glenda Darlene Neely, all of whom preceded her in death. She later shared her life with Odum Reed, and together they had three more children: Lola Harris, Odum Reed Jr. (Kenyatta), and Sharon Hobbs (Benny).

She was preceded in death by her parents and all eleven of her siblings. Florence leaves behind her children, Lola Harris, Odum Reed Jr., and Sharon Hobbs; eight grandchildren, including her special grandchild and devoted caretaker Shekerra Ellis, as well as Natalie Neely, Ronald Eldell, Daveron Reed, Jayana Reed, Jakiah Davis, Jayden President, and Sariyah Dasher; one special great-granddaughter, Elliana Rose Reed; two sisters, Evangelist Lavern Spatcher and Viola Spatcher Stephens; and a special niece, Patricia Hamilton. She will be deeply missed by her many other grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who cherished her.