Seth Neal Jr.

Seth Neal, Jr. was born on October 17, 1936, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to the proud parents of Mr. Seth Neal, Sr and Mrs. Amanda Glasper Neal. He was the second child of four children. He was affectionately known as “Brother” to all his family. His friends called him “Neal.” Growing up on Port Road, his early past time included playing sandlot football and basketball with friends.

He graduated in 1955 from Merrill High School. He went on to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (formally Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical and Normal College, AM&N). In 1959, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He furthered his education by attending North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina as well as Hampton University (formally Hampton Institute) in Hampton, Virginia. He had aspirations of becoming a pharmacist. He completed pharmacy courses from the University of Wisconsin.

Seth taught for several years at Coleman High School as a chemistry, biology and physics instructor. He was a devoted employee of Bill Harpers IGA Groceries as well as Allied Movers. He was also an Emergency Medical Technician. He later worked as a chemist with Ayerst Labs, Incorporated in Rouse Point, New York and Burroughs Wellcome Pharmaceuticals in Greenville, North Carolina. He was then hired as a chemist with Reynolds Aluminum in Bauxite, Arkansas. He later transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas and retired from Reynolds in 1998 with 29.5 years of service.

He was raised and baptized at the Amos Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff under the leadership of Rev. Lockwood O’Neal. He loved to sing and was a member of the Amos Chapel Mass Choir as well as the male chorus. His outstanding baritone voice could always be heard resonating throughout the church. He later joined the St. John Baptist Church in Corpus Christi where he also sang in the choir and was very active in the couples’ ministry.

He was a life member of his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Over the years, he served as the Keeper of Records and Vice Polemarch. He was active in the Southwestern Province. He served as a member of the Pine Bluff Alumni Chapter where he became a member at the age of 35. On November 10, 2018, he transferred to the Mansfield-Cedar Hill Alumni Chapter. He was elated to have recently received his official cream 50-year blazer. His favorite colors were crimson and cream.

He married Edith Garrett in 1958 and to this union three daughters were born. He was also married to Norma Jones (deceased), no children were born to this union. He was later joined in holy matrimony in March 1996 to Ora B. Lawson. He became father to her four children.

He was known for acknowledging all his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He never missed a birthday whether by birthday card or email. He loved taking pictures with his newly found toy….the Apple iPad. He loved watching TV, working on his computer and of course his iPad. He loved listening to all genres of music. His favorite songs were “Stand by Me,” “The Lord is My Light,” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” One of his proudest moments was attending the last Neal Family Reunion and uniting with family and friends. What always put a smile on his face was when his daughters came to visit him at his house.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Seth, Sr, and Amanda Neal, as well as his siblings, Dorothy Glenn, Cornelius Neal, and Mary West. God swung low and took Seth home on January 16, 2022.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years Ora B. Neal, Cedar Hill, TX, his daughters, Cheryl Neal (Allen) Green, Cibolo, TX; Sonya Neal (Dewey) Reeves, Gaithersburg, MD; Rhonda Neal (Ernest) Pointer, Pine Bluff, AR; Zina Y. Gardner, Garland, TX; Zinet Y. Johnson, and Zabeth Y. (Rodrick) Sweet both of Cedar Hill, TX; and son, Zachary Y. (April) Lawson, Frisco, TX. Grandchildren Malcolm Reeves, Duane Dunlap, Shawn Johnson, Deadre’ Green, Weldon Rawlings, Jr., James (Morgan) Green, Zakura Favors, A’Leah Rawlings, Kristen Lawson, Madison Lawson, Mallory Lawson, Kristopher Armstrong, Myles Lawson and Zarod Sweet; and 10 great grandchildren Alariyah, Shawn Jr., Maya, Morgan, Malcolm Jr., Duane Jr., Aubrey, Norelle, Aydin and Mali’ha.