Mrs. Dovie Ferguson Neese, 86, of Holcomb, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland.  She was born August 16, 1936 to O.D. and Velma Wheeler Ferguson.  She was one of 11 children born to this sharecropper and housewife in Hollandale, MS.  She and her siblings worked hard in the field picking cotton to help the family.  She was saved at the age of 12 and baptized in Greenville, MS.  She had a strong sense of faith and stayed involved in the church.  Dovie married the love of her life, Harold Stewart Neese on February 9, 1957.  She was affectionately known by him as "The Dove".  They went on to have four children, Jeane, Steve, Mike and Patrick.

While she did work some outside the home, her main and most important job was as a wife and mother.  She took that role very seriously.  She was very talented in creating arts and crafts, as well as an excellent seamstress.  She served in many capacities in her church throughout the years, even into her 80s chairing the prayer chain at Holcomb Baptist Church.

Dovie was a godly influence on her family.  She was always there to listen, offer advice and most of all, pray in all situations.  She knew no strangers and would stand and talk at length.  She was kind and accepting.  She was such a role model, especially for those who had lost their way in life.  She truly cared.

Dovie and HS spent many vacations exploring and camping in the Ozark Mountains, Branson being one of their favorite destinations.  As the children got older, the emphasis went more toward camping in Mississippi to hunt and fish.

She loved having all the family around and cooking a feast.  She could often be found in the kitchen putting up fresh vegetables in the summer months or tending to her cherished flowers in the yard.  One of her more popular traditions with her kids was a making a favorite birthday meal to include homemade chocolate or caramel cake.

Her life was forevermore changed when her beloved husband of 65 years, HS, passed away suddenly on February 8 of this year.

A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Holcomb Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Tribble officiating.  Interment will follow in the Holcomb Cemetery.  Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

Survivors include four children, Jeane Neese Smithhart(Will), Steve Neese(Sandy), Mike Neese(Angel) and Patrick Neese(Beth); five sisters, Erma Fortenberry, Ruby Bowman, Lois Foote, Cissy Bostian and Tina Hembree; ten grandchildren, Chris Neese, Tracy Hunt(Dustin), Brian Neese, Jennifer Taylor(Kyle), Randi Smelcer(Steve), Josh Neese, Elizabeth Hust(Bo), Bennett Smithhart(Emily), Thomas Sewell and Michael Sewell(Alyssa); 23 great-grandchildren, Destiny Smith, Hunter Neese, Clayton Matlock, Bentley Hunt, Peyton Nichols, Adyson Nichols, CJ Neese, Tyler Neese, Koda Neese, Gretchen Taylor, Emma Taylor, Avery Taylor, Ella Grace Hust, Lily Hust, Oliver Smithhart, Kenny Smithhart, Tanner Neese, Mabrie Neese, Layla Neese, Christopher White, Xan Willis, Jude Smelcer and Alex Sewell.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold Neese; sisters, Joyce Ferguson, Frances Horne and Helen Evans and brothers, Sonny Ferguson and Bubba Ferguson.

Pallbearers will be Brian Neese, Josh Neese, Thomas Sewell, Steve Smelcer, Bennett Smithhart and Kyle Taylor.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Bo Hust and Chris Neese.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).