Dates
Eddie Lou Neel. Precious mother, teacher, and friend took her place In the Celestial Choir on April 28th 2017. Her beautiful voice will resound forevermore in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Eddie Lou was born June 26th 1923 in Ft. Worth, Texas. She attended Poly Tech High School where she fell in love with choral music. Her first love was piano, but her God given voice was hard to ignore and her teachers encouraged her to do both. She entered North Texas State College and received a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Ed. Her freshman year at NT, she tried out for the chorus and made the top choir. Her voice captured all who listened and she was given the major solo in many of the school productions.
After receiving her Masters, Eddie Lou had a great interest in opera. She applied and was accepted into Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York. While In New Your she tried out for a Broadway musical and received the understudy part in " Song of Norway".
After a year in the Big Apple, Eddie Lou's parents wanted her home and being a Texas girl, she was ready. She began her teaching career in Crane, Texas and shortly after was recruited by newly established Howard County Jr. College in Big Spring. There she taught teacher education courses and one class called Radio Broadcasting. It was in that class where she met a cute Gl, home from the war, named Duke Neel. He could sing, play any instrument, and most importantly he was a great dancer. After winning an essay contest describing their courtship, the couple were married June 25th 1948 in Hollywood California on the Popular Radio Program "Bride and Groom."
Eddie Lou and Duke moved to San Angelo shortly after their marriage and Eddie Lou starting teaching at McGill Elementary (a county school then). Shortly after she was asked to be the first choir director at the newly built Lee Jr. High. She taught at Lee until the birth of their daughter.
Eddie Lou had an Illustrious career with the SAISD. She returned to teaching music at McGill and Alta Loma and in 1962 was asked to be the Music Coordinator for the entire district. If you were a music student in the 60's through the 80's you will remember Eddie Lou for the extravagant music festivals she coordinated at the coliseum and the Sarah Bernhardt. Always with a theme in mind, she and her talented music teachers managed to corral over 1000 fifth and sixth graders and produce an evening of song and dance like no other. Later she initiated the Music Memory program where students all over the district could compete and win trophies for their ability to identify various musical works and composers.
Eddie Lou received many honors during her tenue as Music Coordinator. She was chosen to be a part of a team with the Peabody Conservatory of Music, and the Drake University Summer Arts Festival. She also received the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge award presented by a group of State Supreme Court Justices, Veterans and other service organizations.
During her 52 years as a teacher and supervisor, Eddie Lou never forgot her responsibility to her community. She served on the San Angelo Symphony Board, sang in her church choir, and played in the church hand bell group. She also played piano for her Wednesday night Bible Class and her Sunday School Class. One of her most memorable volunteer experiences was that of singing in the West Texas Rehabilitation Center fundraiser called "TEXAS TOAST". In it, she glorified the lowly "Horny Toad" with her operatic rendition of Camelot. The performance prompted a standing ovation.
Last, but not least, Eddie Lou was a caring neighbor, friend and family matriarch. Her energetic and tireless spirt prompted her to enjoy life to its fullest. She relished in the achievements of all but was especially proud of her two grandsons.
Eddie Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mineola Haug, her husband Duke Neel, one brother Harry Haug and 12 brothers and sisters in law whom she loved deeply.
She is survived by her daughter Nada Neel Huey and husband Bill Huey, two grandsons, BJ Huey and wife Natalie, Neel Huey and wife Kate, two great grandchildren , Jevin Huey and May Marie Huey and many beloved in laws, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, May 2, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Harper Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at First United Methodist Church of San Angelo.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Brookdale Assisted living, and Kindred Hospice for their loving care. They kept Eddie Lou singing her favorite song which is her message to all of us:
"Sing a song everyday.
Keep your voices light and gay.
If everyone would sing a song.
Never would the world go wrong.
The family requests any memorials be made to the Eddie Lou Neel Scholarship Fund SAISD, the San Angelo Symphony, or Rust Street Ministries.