Sarah E (Wilks) Neely

Mrs. Sarah Eva Neely, 87, of 401 Hunter Street transitioned to her heavenly home on June 5, 2025 in the comfort of her home.  She was born April 25, 1938 in Lowrys, SC to the late Berry Wilks and Katie Mills.

She attended Jefferson High School in York, SC.

Sarah joined Christian Home Baptist Church in Lowrys, SC at an early age.  She later attended Galilee Baptist Church in York, SC. She eventually made Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church in York, SC her permanent church home where she was a presiding Elder. She was a long-time member of the gospel choir and served as President and Treasurer of Lodge #5 Cooperative Union of Charity. She also served on several other committees including the usher board and kitchen committee.

Sarah worked at Huntley's Knitting Mill in York, SC until it closed.  She later worked at Klear Knit Knitting Mill in Clover, SC until it closed as well. Sarah then worked doing other odd knitting jobs at several different places until she retired.

Sarah loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved playing all types of card games with bid whist being her favorite. Because younger family and friends weren't familiar with the game bid whist, Spades was always required at any family function.  If you were going to Granny’s house (as she was called by most), get ready to play Spades and all family members learned how to play Spades at an early age.  All the children, grandchildren, other family, and friends knew to be ready to play and would often show up with a deck of cards.  The kitchen or den table or a table set up outside was always going to be ready. Sarah’s best friend, Josie, was always her partner in both bid whist and Spades, and the family was convinced that they cheated.  The running joke was that those two have to always played together so that they can cheat. But even if they did, it was always a fun time of competition as those two were the ones everyone wanted to beat.  Nothing made Sarah happier than these family card games. When she wasn’t playing Spades, you could also find her sitting at the kitchen table with her grands playing gin rummy, trash, Uno, etc.

Sarah also liked to travel, especially after her retirement taking several trips with friends and family. She had a special group of ladies that she often traveled with which included her best friend, Josie. They traveled to places such as Savannah GA, Myrtle Beach SC, Gatlinburg TN, Pigeon Forge TN, Florida Keys, and even a cruise to the Bahamas. She would also take several trips with family members to places like New York, Florida, and Atlanta. Lots of memories were made that will be cherished by all.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Mozel Neely, a daughter Margaret (Jip) Neely, two sisters Margaret Thorpe and Mary Frances Thompson, two special Aunts Lilly Bell Mobley and Louise Wilks, and two grandsons Jason Good and Rodney Gill. 

Left to cherish fond memories are five sons, Charles Neely (Vanessa) of Jacksonville, FL,  James Neely (Marilyn) of Lesslie SC, Ronnie Neely (Sheila) of Clover SC, and Clarence Neely (Barbara) and Henry Neely (Pollyanna) both of York SC: one daughter, Christa Neely of Rock Hill SC: one sister Marilyn Morrison of Charlotte NC: a special grandson reared in the home as well as recent caregiver, Antwon Neely (Devery) and granddaughter and caregiver Sarah Anaya Neely all of the home: Four special cousins raised like sisters and brother, Kathy Brown Good(Clayburn), Rhoda Mobley Burris, Jessie Mae Mobley, and Silas Mobley (Marjorie) all of York SC: a special cousin who affectionately called her “Aunt Sarah” Paul Mobley of York SC: a special granddaughter reared in the home, Dynasti Neely of Rock Hill SC: three special granddaughters that spent almost every summer, holiday, or any other time they could go to Granny’s house and still showing up like that presently, Tamara “Mimi” Worthy of Newport SC, Cieleta “Fruity” Neely of Jacksonville FL, and Autrina Tillman (Davis) of Lake Norman NC: two goddaughters, Shatina Neely of York SC and Bridget Wright White (Duane) of Rock Hill SC: her special best friend of over 60 years, Josie Lowry (Tim) of York SC: 18 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 12 great great grandchildren and a host of brother in laws, sister in laws, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. 

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Friday, June 13, 2025 at Wesley United Methodist Church in York, SC with Rev. Strauss Shiple eulogizing. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, June 12th at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens in York, SC.

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