On Friday, February 27, 2026, Kenneth Nelson "Mule" Neal, Sr. passed away at the age of 75. He was born in Columbia, Mississippi to Amos and Frances Neal and has remained a lifelong resident of Marion County. Mule was a graduate of West Marion High School and Pearl River Community College. He was a career welder who worked with Ingall's Shipbuilding, Columbia Welding, and Gas Processors. In his spare time, Mule enjoyed watching "Gun Smoke," John Wayne movies, and old westerns. He was devoted to his family and found his greatest pleasure in time spent with family and the friends he worked with. Mule was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Hutchison; a brother, Joe Neal; and his daughter, Alicia Neal. Mule is survived by his son, Ken Neal (Cindy); a brother, Amos Neal, Jr. (Linda); ten grandchildren, Wade Neal (Alana), Michael Neal (Heather), Gabriel Neal, Auriel Thornhill, Ashley Hurst (David), Tyler Stringer, Travis Fortenberry (Christine), Timothy Fortenberry (Jaylyn), Caleb Creel, and Caterina Creel; and five great-grandchildren, Jody Neal, Avrey Neal, Dean Fortenberry, Kamryn Hurst, and Andrew Hurst.
There will be a visitation for Mule at Colonial Funeral Home on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 5:00pm until 9:00pm. The funeral service, officiated by Reverend Ron Jordan and Reverend Dave Nichols, will be in the funeral home chapel on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 1:00pm. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00am until service time. He will be laid to rest in Foxworth Cemetery assisted by Wade Neal, Michael Neal, Gabriel Neal, Tyler Stringer, Travis Fortenberry, and Timothy Fortenberry serving as pallbearers. Caleb Creel will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
