Franklin, TN- Patricia Ann Cross Lamberth Neeley, formerly of Jonesboro, went home to her heavenly Father on December 6, 2019.

Patricia was born on September 11, 1937 to the late Lehman and Geneva Cross. Pat, an English teacher herself, followed a long line of educators, including teachers, principals, superintendents, and librarians. She graduated from ASU in 1958 with a B.S.E. in Business Education and a minor in English. Some of her many academic accomplishments included Alpha Gamma Delta sorority president. She was in the Who's Who Among Students 1957-1958 and Who's Who Among American Teachers in 1990. Pat greatly enjoyed her college years. Her innate love of and gift for teaching carried her through a long career of teaching not just English, but also many Bible studies and Sunday School classes. She truly connected with students and impacted many lives.

Patricia was married to her first husband, Ben Lamberth, from 1963-1977. They adopted two children, Tracy Evans Lamberth Johnston and Christopher Cross Lamberth. She was married to her second husband, Dr. Paden Neeley, from 1989-2000.

Pat served others for decades in many roles - daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, YMCA volunteer, Junior League president, Junior Auxiliary president, PTA president, and on many other charitable committees and service roles. She was a member of Central Baptist Church and deaconess and member of First Presbyterian Church in Jonesboro, and a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian in Denton, TX. She was known for her generosity, her love of nature and dogs, and a voracious appetite for books. Pat lived, laughed, and loved well.

Patricia is survived by her daughter, Tracy, and son-in-law Dave Johnston; her ex-husband and dear friend Paden Neeley; and grandsons Evan and Zachary Johnston; her beloved Yorkie of fourteen years, Hillary.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lehman and Geneva Cross and her son Christopher Cross Lamberth.

Patricia's service will be 11:00 am Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home with Rev. Ariliss Dickerson officiating. Interment will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until time of service Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to City Youth Ministries P.O. Box 627 Jonesboro AR, 72503 or Life Strategies Counseling "Compassion in Action" 1217 Stone St. Jonesboro AR, 72401 or online at https://www.astate.edu/a/advancement/give-now/index.dot designating it for The Pat Cross Neeley Memorial Fund, or to the ASU Foundation c/o The Pat Cross Neeley Memorial Fund P.O. Box 1990, State University, AR 72467.