Elder James Neal Jr.

James Neal Jr. was born April 27, 1940 to the late James Neal Sr. and Marie (Weatherspoon) Neal, in Greenwood, Mississippi. In his youth, James attended Leflore County Public Schools. In 1964, in his early 20's, he met and was united in holy matrimony to Betty Jean Brown. While residing in MS, their first two children, John and Timothy Neal were born. James and Betty moved their family to Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1966 where their youngest son, Christopher was born. James worked as a dock worker with Bemis Bag Company. He went on to work as a maintenance technician for American State until he retired in 2000.

In the early 1970's, James and Betty became members of Greater Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church (GMS). He became ordained as a deacon in 1979, where he served fervently until his health would no longer allow him. He was inspiring to many new deacons and helped maintain and start programs within the church. James was a person of faith and lived life serving God.

On November 30, 2018, at 1:00 a.m., James Neal Sr., departed this earth and went to celebrate with the Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents James and Marie Neal; son John Neal; brother Richard C. Neal; sister-in-law Nettie Jean Neal. He leaves to cherish in his honor: his wife Betty J. Neal; sons Timothy Neal and Christopher Neal (Niesha); daughter-in-law Raemina Neal; grandsons A'Dante Swanigan and Tyre'k Swanigan; stepmother Bernice Cholyer-Neal; brother John D. Weatherspoon (Mildred); sister-in-law Linda Stewart; and a host of family and friends.