Obituary of Nelwyn Odom Yeary

Nelwyn “Nel” Yeary was reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Sherman Yeary, Jr. on Thursday, April 29, 2021.
Born a Southern lady in Lyons, Georgia on July 12, 1925, Nel and her family soon moved to Ocala, Florida. It was here where Nel met Sherman and asked him out on their first date at the Second Baptist Church’s Girls in Action banquet. It was love at first sight and, years later, they married after Sherman returned home from serving abroad in World War II.

They raised four daughters who proudly loved being known as the “Yeary girls” – Donna, Julie, Cindy and Amy. Their Mama was proud, too, and enjoyed dressing her girls in beautiful hand-sewn dresses and cooking delicious Southern comfort food for her family, friends and, usually, half of Ocala. Her home became the gathering spot for church parties, engagement dinners, bridal and baby showers and all major and minor holidays. She always had her famous pistachio cake waiting on the kitchen counter and a freezer full of homemade chocolate ice cream parfaits.

Then the grandchildren came and Nel was in her full caregiving element ascending to her new favorite title as Mamaw.  Gidget, Holly, Josh, Molly, Valori, Lisa, Griffin and Gillian spent many a day and night playing in Mamaw’s laundry and sewing room which also served as toy central for eager grandkids.

If ever someone told Nel she was spoiling her children and grandchildren, she quickly responded “I just spoil them with love!” Boy, did she.

As if she didn’t stay busy enough caring for her expanding family and decorating one Sherman Yeary-built home after another, Nel became a successful real estate agent and broker, eventually running ABC Realty then working at Roberts Real Estate, where she made long-lasting friendships with an impressive portfolio of real estate transactions.

She leaves a legacy of love to her family – her children, Donna Grubbs (Roddy), Julie Moody (Stanley, deceased), Cindy Fleetwood (Brad) and Amy Mangan (Mike), her grandchildren Gidget Lewis, Holly Ignatz, Molly Moody, Joshua Moody (deceased), Valori Hall, Lisa Lewis, Gillian and Griffin Mangan and 11 great-grandchildren. Deceased before her were parents, Lola and H.A. Odom, and sister Clovis Brack (George, Sr.). Clovis and George’s son, George, Jr. (Buddy, married to Judy), has remained a cherished nephew who visited Nel weekly.

A private family service will be held. There will not be a visitation, however, donations in honor of Nel may be made to the Skills Day Center, Inc., P.O Box 5652, Ocala, Florida 34478 and Interfaith Emergency Services, P.O. Box 992, Ocala, Florida 34478.

The family requests you celebrate Nel with a good Southern meal with your loved ones. Be sure to include her favorite dishes she was known for – fresh pole beans, a pot roast marinated in Italian dressing, squash casserole, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet tea (the sweeter the better), Libby’s biscuits and, of course, a pistachio cake.

We’d like to believe Mama is making this very meal for Sherman and most of Heaven right now.