Carrie Lou Neal

Carrie transitioned from earth to eternity on March 6, 2023 at the HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, Florida surrounded by her family.

She was the second oldest of seven children and grew up in the Springhill Community, where she attended elementary school, completed an 8th grade education before heading back in the cotton field to work to help support her family so her younger siblings could attend school full time.

She united with Clayborn Chapel AME at an early age where she professed her love for Christ. She sang in a women’s quartet group comprised of her sister Opal Lee and cousins Mae and Bert Bizzle. They traveled to many churches in the Springhill/Shiloh singing and praising the Lord. While living in Hot Springs she united with St. Paul AME on Garland Street where she served as a faithful stewardess dedicated to doing God’s will.

Carrie first married Wilfred Clayborn and unto this union three children were born; Freddie, Linda, and Raymond. She later married William (PeeWee) Henry Neal and to this union four children were born; Naomi, William, James, and Deborah. She had many skills. She was a hairdresser for the neighborhood ladies in the Mountain Pine community. Carrie began her career as a housemaid, first working for our 42nd President the William "Bill" Clinton family in south Hot Springs. She later worked for 20 plus years as head maid for Hill Wheatley, owner of Wheatley Motels of Park Avenue. She loved to travel, going on annual vacations and fishing trips with her husband (PeeWee) and her children; traveling to Las Vegas with her sister visiting casino resorts. She was a wonderful cook and baker, famous for her sweet potato cobbler, biscuits and cornbread. Carrie loved being around all her family from the children, grandkids, great grandkids, the great great grandkids, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by both husbands, a daughter Naomi Neal; a son, Pastor Raymond Clayborn 3 sisters: Lillie Mae Jackson, Opal Lee McGill, Emma Faye King, and a brother; Ross Vincent Luther II Wright

She leaves to cherish her memory: 3 sons, Freddie James Clayborn Kansas City, MO; William Louis Neal (Sherry) Pensacola, Fla; James Earl Neal (Antoinette) Orange Park, FL; 2 daughters Linda Clayborn, Dallas, TX; Deborah (Dede) Neal-Love, Sanford, FL; daughter-in-law Leola Clayborn, Desoto, TX;

Brother: Luther Wright Jr.(Victoria) Kansas City, MO; Sister: Mozella Carter (Kansas City, MO); eighteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, three bonus children; Terrilyn King; Mary Catherine Thomas; and Johnny Ray Clayborn; and special cousin James D. Booker,(Willie B) Dallas, TX.

For all the cards, phone calls, words of encouragement, and prayers offered during this time, the family extends to each of you a big thank you. Special thanks to the ER nurses and ICU staff at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, Sanford, FL for the care you provided.

A Celebration of Carrie’s life will be held 10:00 AM, Friday March 17, 2023 in the chapel of Gross Funeral Home.

Visitation with the family will be from 9:00 until time of service.

She will be laid to rest with her husband, William Henry Neal, at the Little Rock National Cemetery.

Graveside service will be at 12:30 PM.

The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.GrossFuneralHome.com.