Mary Evelyn Neville, 81, of Sugar Grove, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 21, 2018 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

She had been coping for a year with the consequences of a stroke, which may have robbed her of some capabilities, but thankfully spared her quick wit.

Born April 5, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Evelyn Neville of Franklin, WV.  She graduated from Franklin High School, where she played four years of basketball.  She attended West Virginia University, eventually graduating with a teaching degree from Madison College.

Mary Evelyn was a devoted teacher, WVU fan, mother, grandmother and pet lover.  She taught 9th grade health and physical education for more than 30 years at Harrisonburg High School.  In addition to serving as an assistant athletic director from 1976 – 1985, she was a successful coach of the HHS girl's tennis team from 1975 – 1988, leading them to three consecutive state championships in 1980 – 82, and is a member of the HHS Hall of Fame.  She also enjoyed being the cheerleading sponsor in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  In her role as an educator, she established the first family life education curriculum in the Harrisonburg City Public Schools.  She was determined to improve the health and well-being of the students she taught, and was a staunch advocate for equal opportunities for female athletes.

Mary Evelyn gave generously of her time, volunteering for multiple organizations, including PAWS (Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter) to help homeless pets and arrange low cost spay and neutering of cats and dogs in the community.  She also served as President of Pendleton Senior and Family Services, and was a Board Member of Highland County Medical Center.

Mary Evelyn is survived by two daughters, Marian Bodkin Rabeno of North Beach, Maryland, and Anne Neville Murphy of Encinitas, California, as well as her dearest companion, Robert J. Armstrong of Sugar Grove, West Virginia.  She was exceedingly proud of her granddaughter, Katherine Linnea Murphy, a graduate of University of California, Berkeley, and a current Master's student at Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Preceding her in death was her brother, Charles Neville, as well as her former husband, Dr. Norlyn Lee Bodkin.  She will no doubt be glad to be reunited with her beloved canine companions, Cassie and Yogi, to bestow upon them much love and many treats.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Saturday, May 26 at Joshua Wilton House, 412 South Main Street in Harrisonburg and  from 1:00 – 2:00 PM Sunday, May 27 at Kimble Funeral Home, 80 South Main Street in Franklin.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the Kimble Funeral Home beginning at 2:00 PM Sunday with Pastor Jerry Smith officiating.

Private inurnment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, Mary Evelyn requested that donations be made to PAWS, P. O. Box 804, Franklin WV  26807 or Pendleton Senior and Family Services, P. O. Box 9, Franklin, WV  26807.