Neah May Whaley

In 2009, Neah’s cute face was placed on a Swedish Facebook page with a plea for someone in America to adopt her. Alan and Marsha knew she was meant to be their daughter. Born outside of Drushkovka, Ukraine, on February 26, 2003, she was adopted and brought to Texas two months before her 8th birthday. Much more than shyness, she could not communicate easily as her vocal cords never developed. She was never held or talked to, never held a pencil or crayon, she had only been outside of her orphanage to swing on the swing set and had only ridden in a car one time to transfer to another orphanage. When she was five, Neah was found by an American organization, life2orphans, who rescues orphans from the worst of the worst institutions. She was moved into a village orphanage which, though still not up to par, was at least much better. From the first day she walked out of the orphanage, she loved her new life and had an interest in everything around her. We watched her sweet self blossom, both in knowledge and kindness. After therapy and speech programs, Neah slowly began to speak and by the time of her death, she was finally speaking in complex sentences. With the use of a language board, Neah began fiddle lessons when 13 years old (and after a year of begging!) with a woman who would become her second mother, Sherry McKenzie. Sherry could get magic out of that girl! All who spoke to her and knew her, would nearly fall over when hearing her play. Playing the fiddle gave Neah a voice in this world, and she had much to say. It was a pleasure to all who had the privilege of hearing her. She recently graduated to some pretty tough tunes and was really headed somewhere! In the last 12 years, Neah has tried everything from fencing to pottery. She loved Jesus, her family, Sherry and Joey, her karate classes, being with friends and family, Dr. Pepper, foxes (she had a room-full!), listening to music, running the table saw and air compressor nail gun, going to church, being with her nieces and nephews, following her mom around, laughing and snuggling with her dad, volunteering at The Bread Connection, and of course, she loved playing her fiddle. She brought nothing but joy to all of our lives, was the purest soul alive, and made us want to be better people. If ever there’s a chance that a real angel lived among us, it would be Neah. Her best friend was her brother, Rylan. They had a wing and movie night together every week and constantly teased each other. Luke, Seth, and Marissa were her friends, and she called Jihye and Jamie her new sisters. She will be missed by Andy, Cara, Clay, Juliya, and the rest of her siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. As for her mom and dad, well, they look forward to being with their baby girl on the streets of gold someday, for Earth will never be the same without their sweet Neah May. Neah was preceded in death by both her Whaley and Franklin grandparents, and her brother, Till Whaley. Left behind to cherish her memory are her loving parents, Alan and Marsha Whaley, her siblings: Tycer Whaley, Andy Whaley, Cody Whaley, Clay Whaley, Elyza Whaley Simmons, Hatty Whaley, Juliya Whaley, Rylan Whaley, Sayer Whaley; and her aunts and uncles: Lance and Patti Whaley, David and Debbie Whaley, and Susan Whaley Peer. She will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Neah is forever in our hearts.

Neah May Whaley

February 26, 2003 - January 15, 2024