Holston Conference has been blessed with many noble spirits, certainly with those who have presided over parsonages. Somehow they have felt the inner urgings, not only of the tides that flow through the parsonage, but also of those which surge through the congregation, and in this exhibiting consecration, inspiration, and poise. No nobler of these has lived and wrought than the subject of this memoir – Mrs. W. S. NEIGHBORS.
As a pastor’s wife she excelled in that she seemed to know what to say and what not to say. As a College President’s wife she moved with grace and charm, and there crossed from her life to the lives of young women a spirit of gentleness, quiet strength, and aspiration for the things that are highest and holiest. As a Presiding Elder’s wife she seemed to know how to deal with each preacher, and perhaps with a spark of genius when related to young men in the ministry. Many therefore representing these groups shall stand and call her blessed, because of the seen and unseen qualities of her life.
For more than fifty-eight years she was a teacher in the Sunday Schools. She was a leader in various other Church activities. She originated a Bible course in Sullins College that became a pattern for many other Colleges, and is followed largely in principle today. She founded the teacher-training program in the Baltimore Conference in 1905. For fifty-eight years without interruption she taught in Sunday School, and classes in many churches owe their beginning to her inspiration and information. The Neighbors-Thomas class of Centenary Church was named for her. She had knowledge of the Bible and ability to interpret by precept and example the teachings of the greatest book in all literature.
A native of Rockwood, Tennessee, she was Miss Mary THOMASSON before her marriage August 6, 1889, to Dr. W. S. NEIGHBORS. Their Golden Anniversary was celebrated in August of last year. Before her marriage she was a school teacher, and continued to teach for several years after her marriage. She taught in Colleges where her husband was President. She always made a comfortable and happy home for her husband and their friends, and their long walk together was regarded by those who knew them as ideal.
Mrs. NEIGHBORS came to a peaceful end May 7, 1940, in her home at Flintsone, Georgia. The funeral services were held May 9, from the Church where Dr. NEIGHBORS began his ministry, St. Elmo Methodist Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The services were conducted by the writer, her Pastor, Rev. Tom P. CARRIGER, and Rev. E.E. WILEY, Jr. She was buried in Forest Hills Cemetery. Thus there came to a close the early life of one of Holston Conference’s most choice spirits, who exemplified in her life the principles of the Gospel preached by her husband for more than a half a century. — W. H. HARRISON
Source: Methodist Episcopal Church. Official Journal of the Holston Annual Conference of the Methodist Church. 1940.
