Felicia Neighbarger

Mary Felicia Neighbarger

February 6, 18924 – January 9, 2020

Felicia was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 6, 1924 and passed away on January 9, 2020 at the age of 95. She was the third child of four children (Bill, Hattie, Felicia and Juanita), her parents being Lillie Eva-Scarborough-Christian (Granny Christian) and Albert Calvin Christian (Papo).

Like so many families at the time, they moved quite often. At one point they were living on a farm which was rented to them. When it was time to move, they just took their clothes and moved on.

Papo (her dad) came out to Nevada in 1930 to find work, but there was no work to be found. When he did start working, it was on houses in Boulder City, Nevada, which was called Tent City at the time. About a year later, when he had enough money, he sent for the rest of the family. Bill had stayed with Mamaw, Hattie stayed with Aunt Neva in Memphis, Tennessee, and Felicia and Juanita went with their mom (Granny Christian) to Boulder City. Bill and Hattie Anna came out later on the train. The family stayed in a  motel for a short time until the rent was due and Granny Christian (her mom) decided to buy a tent. The tent was pitched up in the backyard of the Snyder family.

Around 1932 they gathered their belongings and their tent and moved to Boulder City. Shortly after the move, Cousin Buddy decided to try and bring alcohol into “Tent City” where they were living. Since it was illegal to have alcohol on the reservation, he was told to leave. Papo decided that if his workers couldn’t stay, then he couldn’t stay. Once again, they gathered their belongings and their tent and were on their way to what they called the “Mountain Side.”

At the time the children had not started back to school and they couldn’t afford to be bussed to school in Vegas. Papo (her dad) built a one-bedroom house for the family and did the plumbing on the very first school in Boulder City. The family later moved from Boulder City to Banning, California. From Banning they moved to San Bernardino, and then from San Bernardino to Long Beach.

At the age of 18, Felicia went to work for Texaco, working her way up to become the Executive Secretary for the President of Texaco. Through a co-worker, Stan Neighbarger, she met Stan’s son, Howard Neighbarger. At the age of 25 they were married. Howard worked on remodeling houses and they settled down in Long Beach, CA. After 41 years of employment, Felicia retired from Texaco.

Never having children of her own, Felicia was very close to her nieces and nephews and family was a very important part of her life. She loved spending time with all of them. Being a “girly girl” she especiall;y enjoyed the many adventures with the girls: trips, dining out, shopping and just getting together. That being said about the “girls,” she had her nephews on a high pedestal and thought they were pretty darn great too!

In 1997, Felicia bought a unit in Leisure World, Seal Beach, which she shared with her sister Hattie Anna. They were the “dynamic duo.” Company was always welcomed and stopping by was always a treat. Plenty of conversation, laughing, coffee and maybe even a snack or candy!

She is survived by nieces and nephews: Janet Wilson (Terry), Bill Maingot (Bonnie), Phil Maingot (       Diana), Gloria Lewis, Sandra Whitson (Ron), Linda Brown, Deana Orozco (Joey), Deano Collins (Sheree), Beverly Cappelletti (John), Doran Christian, and many great and great-great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Fun Memories of Felicia

• Favorite color was purple
• Loved clothes, jewelry and being pampered
• Howard & Felicia owned a bar in Long Beach where she worked at night
• Had sports cars: Austin Healey and a 1958 Corvette
• Enjoyed traveling
• Loved to swim & continued up until her 80’s
• Rode her 3-wheel bike five miles almost every day in Leisure World
• Enjoyed playing games on her computer
• Liked watching detective movies like Law & Order on TV

“For A Special Aunt”

Aunt Felicia…

There are Aunts to look up to,

Aunts who are wise,

Those who are good friends,

Those who advise.

There are Aunts who are lovable,

Aunts who are fun,

And then there is you…

You’re all these in one.

Love Always

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401