Lucy Elizabeth McNees

Lucy Elizabeth (Cole) McNees, age 85 years, passed to her eternal reward on Monday, February 5, 2024, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital, in Kearney, Nebraska. She was born September 7, 1938, in the town of Fowler, New York to Merton Douglas Cole and Frieda Mable (Church) Cole.

She was welcomed into the family by her 16-month older brother Leslie. She started school in Westview, Saskatchewan, Canada near Moose Jaw. Later sisters Louise and Lois joined the family.  

Her father was a minister, so they moved to many places during her life, both in Canada (Saskatchewan and Manitoba) and the United States (NY and PA). She graduated from Elkand High School, Elkand, PA in 1956. She went on to Mansfield State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1960. 

 She taught school after graduating at the Warren Public Schools in Warren, PA. After teaching for a few years, she met and married an army guy, William Haynes McNees, on June 30, 1962. Soon along came her three children--Janice Elizabeth, James William, and Ruth Ann. 

Lucy was a member of the Evangelical Wesleyan Church. Her husband was in the ministry from 1967 to 2017. She loved people of all ages. She also taught Sunday School, Bible Clubs, and Missionary Meetings for many years. She loved giving surprise gifts, fruit baskets, baked goods or small gifts!!! She did some substitute teaching after her children were older.  

She was proud to be a stay-at-home mom and like her daughter said, “We did not need a TV because mom entertained us so well.” Lucy was an avid reader; she loved her Bible. She did crafts such as card making and loved sending and receiving cards and letters. She did handwork (embroidery, knitting, sewing) and was an all-around homemaker.  

Surviving is her beloved husband William Haynes McNees, and her siblings Louise (William) Sarber of Cooperstown, PA; Lois (Brian) Harvey of Pleasant Plain, OH; and Sarah (Luke) Martin of Lewisburg, PA. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Leslie and Liz Cole. She is also survived by her children—Janice (James) Johnston, James (Kimberly) McNees and Ruth Russell. 

Survived by her grandchildren—Joy (Randall) Albertson, David Johnston, Ranae (Brett) Bult, Joanna Johnston, James Jr (Kristina) McNees, Holly (Isaac) Foust, Benjamin (LeAnn) McNees, Timothy McNees, Joshua Russell, Heidi Russell (Robby Martin), Naomi (Samuel) Anderson, and David Jr Russell. Her great grandchildren are James, Micah, Jonathan, Jewelyn, Misheal, Mandylyn, Josiah Albertson; Jevonne, Diana, Natalie Johnston; Cameron, Matthew, Eli, and Cheyanne McNees; Josiah, Lydia, Seth, and Melissa Foust; Andrew and Carson McNees; Noble and Abigail Martin.