Rev. Dr Cecil Neal, Sr.

The Rev. Dr Cecil Neal, Sr was born in May Pearl, Texas on March 10, 1930, the only child of Clarence James and Sadie Pearl Neal. His father and mother divorced when he was a very young child and he was raised and nurtured by his mother in Wichita Falls, Texas.

He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts from California Baptist University; his Master of Theology from Perkins School of Theology at SMU; and his Doctor of Ministry from Saint Paul School of Theology. He married Mary Jean Duhart and to this union five sons and one daughter were born.

He moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1978 when he was appointed pastor of Centennial United Methodist Church. He later served as the District Superintendent and Conference Council Director of the Missouri West Conference. In all his appointments, his one desire was to leave conditions better than they were when he arrived.

Cecil had numerous church appointments during his career, which include:

- New Hope Baptist Church, Dallas

- King Memorial UMC, Dallas

- Centennial UMC, Kansas City

- Peoples UMC, Colorado Springs

- Warren Street UMC, Warrensburg

- Taylor Chapel UMC, Sedelia

- Winnwood UMC, Kansas City

- Church of Lord Jesus Christ The Messiah, Kansas City

Cecil’s favorite pastimes were restoring old houses, reading, and watching classic black & white movies on television. Cecil often ended his conversations with the phrase “Blessings to You”.

He was proceeded in death by his father, mother, wife (Mary Jean) and eldest son, Cecil Neal Jr (Ann). With loving and glorious memories, he is survived by Augusta K Wilbon, second wife & devoted companion and his children; Micheal Neal Sr (Phyliss), Gary Neal Sr (Tonya), Larry Neal Sr (Sharon), Timothy Wayne Neal Sr and Christina Jean Johnson (Mark). In addition, he leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services for Rev. Dr Cecil will be held Friday, June 13, 2025 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM with a memorial service following 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. The repass will be held from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Elegant Affairs Event Space, 12121 Blue Ridge Boulevard suite x, Grandview, Missouri 64030.

Cecil will be laid to rest in Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131; Faith I Mausoleum; Section: Interior North, Tier: 90, Crypt: 13.