Jim was such a great person.....always had a ready smile and was a friend to everyone.  He and Mary Ellen were such a big part of our church family along with Janie, Libby and Jimbo.  You just don't forget folks like that. Such a pleasure knowing them and counting them among our friends.

Mr. Neff was a great person and always had a smile..My deepest sympathy goes to all the family.Rest In Peace.

Mr  Neff always had a smile on his face and a kind word for every one.  He just seemed to make the day brighter..
My sympathy  to the family.

  I remember when I was still living in West Virginia and going to church where James went , he never missed a Sunday without giving  me a hug and telling me how much he cared for all the young people.  James had a loving heart,  a gentle spirit,  and always smiling.  He let his light shine for the Lord.  He had a beautiful family..  Some are with the Lord now , some are waiting to travel the road behind him. But, one thing for sure  he can now hear the angels sing,  he will be sadly missed.  But will be happier where he is now. That alone gives a sad heart a little bit of peace and understanding and comfort.  May God Bless You All,  Love and Prayers. 
 Karen Bledsoe

As I browse through the pictures supplied by the family, I am reminded of the years past. Sharing my early years as a young Christian and the encouragement I received from this family. Always words of encouragement and a smile from this dear man of God. Was blessed to have stayed in touch over the years even though its been  40 years since attending Fayetteville Church of God.  Heaven is even a better place now that Jim is walking on those streets of gold. 


THE FIRST TIME ED TOOK ME TO SEE JIM AND MARY ELLEN, ED WAS NOT HOLDING UP HIS END OF THE CONVERSATION! BEING NEW TO THE FAMILY I WAS A BIT TIMID, BUT UNCLE JIM OPENED ME UP AND WE HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION. HE ALWAYS CAME WITH A SMILE SAYING "HOW ARE YOU, YOUNG LADY". I LOVE WHEN HE SANG HIS OLD SONGS. I ALWAYS WANTED TO PINCH HIS CHEEKS! MAY GOD BLESS AND COMFORT THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS, GIVING THEM STRENGTH TO ENDURE THE TRIALS OF THIS LIFE. HE IS AT REST. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR ALLOWING ME TO KNOW HIM XOXO


Mr.Neff always had a smile and kind word..deepest sympathy to all the family

Jim was a wonderful neighbor and friend to our family.   Many prayers of comfort for his family.  I will never forget his gentle smile .  It was an honor to know him. 

    It's so hard to imagine the Church of God in Fayetteville without seeing Jim and Mary Ellen right there in the second pew from the front, left side of the church. They were like a permanent fixture . Our seat was directly behind them and I used to reach up and rub his head and he would look back with that grin that was usually present in his eyes even when his mouth wasn't smiling.  I remember when he started having health issues he would take that guitar in one hand, walk to the front, hang on to the railing to mount the stairs to the pulpit and play and sing for his Lord. 
    It's so hard to lose a loved one and our prayers go out to the family. In the words of my grandfather "When we lose someone we love, we gain an angel we know".  Jim was always such a cheerful person and always had a ready quip for any occasion.  We know that now he is resting in peace with no more pain.

OBITUARY

James Donald Neff

April 1, 1928 – September 17, 2019

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