Rebecca Sue Neeley

Rebecca Sue Neeley, 58, died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at her home in Memphis. She was born January 8, 1950, in Harrisburg , Arkansas and is proceeded in death by her father, Shea Neeley, mother Elizabeth Neeley and her only sister, Shari Neeley Mouille. She is survived by her close friend Anne Lile-Castle of Jonesboro. She also leaves behind the love of her life, her nine rescued racing greyhounds, Colin, Lady Shay, Chuckie, Abby, Allie, Wubba Dubba, Lizzy, Poco and Ashley and two cats, Fonzie and Gabriel. She will be missed by all her friends, patients and loved ones.

Becky grew up in Jonesboro before moving to Memphis. She graduated in 1967 from Jonesboro High School and attended Arkansas State University. In 1997, Becky was inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society as a lifetime member through the University of Memphis. She graduated cum laude from the University of Memphis in 1998 with a major in Therapeutic Recreation and used that degree in her position as activity director for The Pointe Assisted Living Facility where she brought cheer and a smile to the patients in her care.

She was the director of Helping Hounds Pet Therapy, a nonprofit organization. The members of Helping Hounds are adoptive "parents" of retired greys mostly from Mid South Greyhound Adoption Option and take their greyhounds to nursing and assisted living facilities, St. Jude and area hospitals. A goal of the HHPT is to educate the community of the plight of the retired greyhounds and their need for adoption.

A memorial service will be held in Memphis on Saturday, June 28 at 12:00 noon at The Pointe at Kirby Gate Assisted Living at 6480 Quince Road. Becky and the facility would be pleased to also have her canine friends in attendance.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro and arrangements are incomplete.

For lasting memorials, please consider a donation to Mid South Greyhound Adoption Option, 1550 North Ingram Blvd., West Memphis, AR 72301; or House of Mews, 933 S. Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104 in lieu of flowers.

To sign an online registry, go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com.