Johnny Ray Neal

Johnny Ray “Mr.” Neal was born on July 3, 1951, to Mary Elizabeth Carr Giles and John Morris Neal in Dalark, Arkansas. Johnny was a member of the Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church and was honored as Father of the Year on June 15, 2014.

Johnny was a 1969 graduate of Sparkman High School, where he played offensive tackle. He studied business while attending Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Johnny was employed by Acme Brick Company in Malvern, Arkansas, and Petit Jean Poultry in Gum Springs, Arkansas where he was a Food Inspector and Supervisor.  He was an advocate fisherman, enjoyed going to Oaklawn, a master Spade, Tonk, and Dominoes player. Johnny loved basketball with the Boston Celtics being his favorite NBA team.

He met Helen Newburn, and they were united in holy matrimony on December 10, 1983. To this union, one child was born, Jonathan Neal, and through this union, he was blessed with one stepson, Gregory Bullock.

On May 5, 2024, Johnny passed into the Lord’s embrace.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Elizabeth Carr Giles, and John Morris Neal; one brother, Wayne Edward Neal; one nephew, Courtney “Pete” Neal; two nieces, Tanisha Neal, and Twanna Neal.

Johnny’s precious memories will continue to live on in the hearts of his son, Johnathan Neal of  Arkadelphia, AR; stepson, Gregory (Diane) Bullock of Dalark, AR; four sisters, Glennie Neal of Ypsilanti, MI; Joyce Neal of Houston, TX; Ruth Neal of Little Rock, AR; Dorothy Perkins of Sparkman, AR; one brother, Bobby (Charlotte) Neal of Dalark, AR; one Aunt, Ethel Kuykendall of Oakland, CA; one uncle, Albert (Gracie) Neal of Arkadelphia, AR; special niece, Tomiko Thompson; longtime companion and friend, Helen Ruth Newburn; special friends, Doris Gleason, Sandra DeLamar, Shelia Hughes Giles, Michelle Jones Welch, Claude Dickerson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and family friends.

Submitted by the family.

William Owens, Rodderick Neal, Jerry Scott, Jammar Bullock, Tony Hogan, & Quincy Newborn will serve as active pallbearers. Honorable to mention are Albert Neal, Billy Newborn, Louis Ankton, & Robert Williams. Mt. Olive Missionaries and friends will serve as floral escorts.

A celebration of his life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Mt. Olive AME Church in Dalark, Arkansas, with Roy Smith, officiant, and Pastor TheResa Ngantchie, eulogist. The interment will be at Piney Grove Cemetery. Public visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the funeral home.