Emily Neyland

EMILY SARAH NEYLAND 

September 8, 1980, to April 15, 2024 

Forever 43 

Emily was born in Temple, Texas to Ruth and David Neyland.  She later lived in Austin, TX, La Grange, TX, Natchez, MS, Alpine, TX, Kent Island, MD, and Fort Stockton, TX.  Greeting her in heaven are her younger sister, Betsy, her grandparents Julia and Harold Spencer, grandparents Laverne and Raymond Neyland, Aunt Dana and Uncle Stan Spencer, Uncle Denny Baker, cousins Michelle Ordaye and Sarah Ferguson, and numerous friends.  Probably a whole city of FA friends who have gone on before her. 

Emily graduated from Fort Stockton High School in 1999.  She attended McMurray University for the next 3 ½ years.  She majored in Psychology and religion.  She was recruited and planned to attend Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore; Ky. Emily loved McMurray and the many friends she made there. 

She returned home as her Friedreich’s Ataxia progressed and she physically could no longer navigate school.  Emily found a new passion in life.  She decided to give back and volunteered her time at her church, First United Methodist Church of Ft Stockton.  She worked there with Mother’s Day Out and The After School Program.  She coordinated Vacation Bible School and taught children’s Sunday School classes.  She loved the children and found a talent that she did not know she had. 

Emily spent several years in bed because getting up gave her severe chest pain.  She did not give up.  She spent most of her time reading.  She decided to educate herself on many things.  She didn’t just read books; she shared the information she learned with others.  She shared what she learned on a daily basis whether about whales or elephants.  When it was Lent, Emily would read books that deepened her relationship with God.  She said that she could not give up food because of her diabetes so she would just read books that would help her know and understand God better.  Ordinarily she would alternate reading faith-based books and non-faith-based books.  She liked to read about people who made a difference, such as Malala, a young girl who stood up for girls' education rights.  Emily was in Ms. wheelchair, TX pageant for 2 years.  She had a wonderful time and won Ms. Congeniality the 2nd year. 
 
When Emily was in a lot of pain and couldn’t read, she would talk to God and pray.  Many times, she would call someone and leave a message on fb just to say, ‘I love you’.   She believed in encouraging people. She believed in Jesus and love being the answer to the world’s problems.  She saw beauty in different cultures and in different people.  Emily loved animals.  Her cat Scarlett liked to sleep on or next to Emily.  Scarlett and Emily shared a deep love for each other, and Emily was Scarlett’s person.  Like her sister Betsy, Emily donated her organs/tissues to research towards finding a cure for Friedreich's Ataxia. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either (FARA) Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance @curefa.org; OR donate to scholarships for high school seniors. This has been set up by Emily’s and Betsy’s friends from Ft. Stockton high school class of 1999.  Information is located on The Neyland Sisters Scholarship page on fb.