Opal Neill

Mamaw Bebe, age 88, went to rest in the arms of the angels on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. She was granted her wish of being at home surrounded by her loving family and friends singing and comforting her till the end. After a battle with cancer, Mamaw Bebe is now finally able to join her beloved husband, Robert Neill, daughter, Jerry Lynn Rogers, grandson, Gene Rogers, and her mother and father, Ernest G. Jones and Cordelia Mclain Jones. Mamaw Bebe was loved by all and was blessed with such great talent. Along with her lifelong best friend and singing partner, Norma Milhorn Carter, she had the opportunity to perform on the radio with some of the greatest artists of all time.

Mamaw Bebe came from a large family. She was born January 15, 1922, in Greene County, raised in Kingsport on Bays Mountain. She loved all her siblings, and cared for them later in life. Her entire life revolved around her grandchildren; they were her lifeline. Mamaw loved and cared for them more than words could express; she will continue to live on in our memories.

Mamaw Bebe is survived by her grandchildren, Robert and Angela Rogers, Scott and Vanessa Rogers, David and Kristy Rogers, and Mark and Cindy Rogers; her great-grandchildren, Nathan, Cassandra, Misty, Amber, Chelsea, Michael, Jamie, Bailey, Emily, Luke, Travis, Cory, Kassie, and Elijah; many great-great-grandchildren; and her lifelong friend, Norma Milhorn Carter.

The family is accepting visitors at Scott and Vanessa Rogers? home at 612 Newland Avenue in Kingsport, TN. There will also be visitation at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home in Kingsport on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Services will follow at 7:00 p.m., with Rev. Fred Byington officiating.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday at Oak Hill Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Mamaw Bebe?s grandsons, Bob, Scott, David, and Mark, and her great-grandsons, Nathan, Michael, and longtime family friend Larry Duckworth. Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandsons Elijah and Luke.

A special thank-you goes to her family and special caregiver Jon Gillenwater, who was by her side till the end. And big thanks to Amedisys Hospice and nurse Kim.