As we come to the close of National Estate Planning Awareness Week, we are pleased to share an inspiring story of impact. The story of Ms. Virginia Neely who passed away in 2023 at the age of 96. Over the years, Ms. Neely stayed in touch with Cumberland either by coming back to campus for class reunions or visiting the alumni office from time to time. During those visits, Ms. Neely fondly recalled her time at CU. She desired to leave a permanent imprint by creating an endowed scholarship through a planned gift. This scholarship will assist those who might otherwise not be able to attend college.
Eighty years ago, this fall, a young and hopeful Virginia Lois Neely from Columbia, Tennessee, came to Cumberland University. During her time at CU, Ms. Neely was an active member of the student body, she sang in the choir, served as a staff writer on the newspaper and established the Cynthian Social Society for young women. Though her fondest memory of her time at Cumberland was playing in the snow (pictured above) one cold winter’s day. January 16, 1948, Lebanon saw 7’’ of snow in one day! Ms. Virginia and fellow student, Ray Smith, are seen above playing in the snow with little June Richardson in front of Bone Hall. Along with other students and faculty, they built a huge snowman in front of Memorial Hall. Maybe you have a memory like this from your time at CU!
When asked who the most influential person was during her time at CU Ms. Neely said, Dr. W.E. Richardson, Professor of Theology and Chair of the Religion Department. Dr. Richardson was previously the minister at Virginia’s home church in Columbia, TN, First Baptist.
Virginia graduated from Cumberland with a degree in English and Social Studies. She went on to receive a master’s in education at the Peabody School at Vanderbilt and eventually became a lifelong educator who got her start at Cumberland University. Ms. Neely would go on to teach in the Nashville Public School System for over three decades.
In 2011, Ms. Neely worked with Cumberland to establish the Virginia Neely Endowed Scholarship that supports students studying Education or Nursing at CU. This gift was important to Ms. Neely to pay it forward and leave a legacy. She saw the value of education and knew she too could make a difference with an estate gift. Prior to her passing she worked with the Advancement Office at Cumberland to establish the scholarship criteria.
We invite you to consider leaving a lasting legacy and learn more about adding Cumberland University to your estate plan in honor of National Estate Planning Awareness Week. If you are interested in leaving a legacy at Cumberland University or want to join our Phoenix Society contact advancement@cumberland.edu.