Helen Carr Neal

Helen Carr Neal, 90, was called home to Heaven on September 21, 2012. Ms. Neal was born November 12, 1921 in Sumner, Mississippi. She grew up in Winter Haven, Florida where she graduated from high school. Following high school, Ms. Neal moved to Glen Allen, Mississippi and lived there for several years. In 1957, she and her family moved to Pearl, Mississippi where she resided until her death.

Ms. Neal was affiliated with McRae’s Department Store until she retired. She loved adventure and was a lady of great character. She never met a stranger and all who crossed her path were touched by her strength and integrity. She was loved and respected by all. Ms. Neal was passionate about her family and friends, loved to play cards and spend time at her beach home on Dauphin Island, Alabama. She enjoyed her church home of McLaurin Heights Methodist church for over 50 years.

Survivors include her son, Robert R. (Bob) Neal and his wife, Linda, daughters, Beth Neal and Linda Henderson and her husband Rich, six grandchildren, Keith Neal, Ric Henderson, Kevin Neal, Wendy Bitner, Shelley Brown Floyd, Allyn Brown, 7 great grandchildren and her beloved dog, Cricket. She is preceded in death by her father, Robert G. Carr, her mother, Lillian Klyce Carr, her sisters, Lillian “Billie” Espensen and Betty Jean Oakes.

Visitation will be at Baldwin Lee Funeral Home in Pearl from 5pm to 7 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012. Services will be held at McLaurin Heights Methodist Church on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 10 am with visitation prior to the service beginning at 9 am. Interment will follow the services at Parkway Memorial in Ridgeland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in honor of Sarah Abigail Neal, Ms. Neal’s great granddaughter, to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 8085 Saltsburg Road, Suite 201, Pittsburg, PA 15239 ( www.umdf.org ) or to a charity of your choice.

“God touched her with His finger and she slept,” but not until a beautiful life was lived. Few of us will live as long and as well, and fewer yet will the Angel of Death greet with such a loving touch. In such a death, there is no cause for grief. Her life work was done and her death was a final step toward the great reward she so richly deserved.