Shirley Ann Rogers McNeary (1950-2024)

Shirley Ann Rogers McNeary (Rogers) was born March 20, 1950, the third child of the late Nathaniel and Hersaline Rogers of Newcastle.

Shirley attended public schools in Forrest City and graduated from Lincoln High in 1968. She married her high school classmate, Clarence Maurice McNeary, and relocated to Detroit, Mich., where she lived most of her life. While living in Detroit, two children were born of this union.

Shirley worked at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich., for 38 years. She first began her career there in dietary and later worked as a Health Unit Coordinator. After retiring she moved back to Arkansas to help care for her mother and later her brother. After several years of retirement, she returned to work and held several positions working with her community through The National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, Inc.

Shirley was full of life, worked hard, loved and cared for her family. In addition, she enjoyed many hobbies in her pastime. She enjoyed nature and loved gardening. She had a love and passion for animals; therefore, she adopted several pets over the years. Shirley also loved to travel. She enjoyed visiting Shanty Creek Resort on an annual basis with coworkers and her cousins from Mount Clemens, Mich.

However, many of us know she enjoyed cruising most of all, where she experienced many ports-of-call throughout the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel

McNEARY and Hersaline Rogers, and siblings, Dwight Rogers, Gregory Rogers and Ethel Lee Hayden Dozier.

She is survived by her children, Brenda McNeary and Clarence McNeary Jr.; grandchildren, Amber McNeary, Clarence McNeary III, Cameron McNeary, Brian McNeary and MacKenzie Richardson; one greatgranddaughter, Catalina Melia McNeary.

siblings, Margrett Lewis, Nathaniel Rogers Jr., Yvonne Rogers, Kenneth Rogers (Dessie), Terry Rogers and Kimberley Futrell (Earl); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held today, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Miles Mortuary.

The funeral service for Shirley Rogers McNeary, 73, of the Newcastle Community, will be Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Riverside M.B. Church. Minister Adrian Rogers will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow at Paradise Garden Cemetery, under the direction of Miles Mortuary, which is in charge of arrangements.