Mr. Cecil Robert Neal, age 86, of Ellijay, GA died Wednesday January 28, 2015.
Mr. Neal was born July 4, 1928 in Paola, Kansas the son of the late Cecil Herbert and Margaret Evelyn Roberts Neal. He was a veteran serving with the US Army, attended the University of California and worked as an associate engineer for AT&T until his retirement in 1988. At the time of his death he was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Ellijay. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Buffkin Neal on September 5, 2010.

Survivors include: children; Cecil Lynn Neal (Tammy), Ellijay, GA, Robert Allan Neal (Robin), Charlotte, NC, Christina Marie Neal Seigerman (Mason),Cheyenne, WY, brother: John Lewis Neal, Phoenix, AR, sisters, Rosemary Neal Lyman, Tucson, AR, Naomi Maxine Neal Artz, Modesto, CA, grandchildren, Ashly D. Neal Dollar (Joseph), Austin Robert Neal (Kristen), Joseph Milligan, Matthew and Riley Seigerman, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dick and Jewell Shirley, Hubert Fields, all of Orangeburg,SC, Mary Buffkin, Honolulu, Hawaii, several nieces and nephews also survive.

As his grandchildren have beautifully said…….

Incredibly talented in sports, always a joker with a perfect smile, extreme green thumb and master of the garden, served time in the military, loved his wife and family, was the best example of what true love is, together with his wife fostering 40 plus children, was in the church every time the door was open, a faithful follower of Christ….. Grandpa/Dad/Papa was greeted at the pearly gates with his Master saying ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith……..to say he was a good man would be an understatement. Grandpa has been reunited with Grandma and for that, we are thankful.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Gwen Dean, Debbie Paquette and the other ladies that took such wonderful care of our Dad.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 6, at 2:00 pm, at the chapel of Dukes-Harley Funeral Home in Orangeburg, SC with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery of Orangeburg.

The family will receive friends Friday February 6 from 12noon until 2:00pm at the Dukes–Harley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask donations be made to : Mosaic Style with Love ( Ministry for Foster Children) in care of Carmel Baptist Church 1145 Pineville Matthews RD, Matthews, NC 28105 in memory of Cecil and Dorothy Neal.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.