Donald Wayne Neal, 82, of Harrisburg, Arkansas, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born in Poinsett County on April 12, 1943, the son of Luther and Audrey (Volner) Neal.
His parents have preceded him in death, and two brothers: Junior Neal and Howard Neal.
After finishing high school at Harrisburg and graduating from college at ASU in Jonesboro, they earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Ag ~ Business. Don worked at the Post Office at ASU for many years and retired from there. He married Miss Carolyn Ketchum on August 15, 1965, and they enjoyed 59 years of marriage together. He was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Harrisburg. There he served as Deacon for over 40 years and taught the Men’s Sunday School class for many years. Don was very active in sharing the Gospel with people he knew and those he didn’t know, even last week, still talking with and praying with people. He wanted everyone to know personally the Savior he knew. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and his church family. Some of his free time was spent in the woods, chopping wood, something he truly enjoyed. He will be greatly missed. He went on a mission trip to Guatemala in 1991 and another trip he took was to the Grand Canyon. There, he hiked from the North Rim to the South Rim in two days.
Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn Neal of Harrisburg, one son, Byron (DeeAwn) Neal also of Harrisburg, one daughter, Melanie Yates of Jonesboro, Arkansas, one brother, Carl Neal of Swifton, Arkansas, four sisters: Ruby Hutchens of Flushing, Michigan, Gearlene Chandler of Brookhaven, Mississippi, Debbie Madjlesi of Corinth, Mississippi, and Nina Davis of Beckley, West Virginia, six grandchildren: Nathan Neal, Caleb Neal, Anna Yates, Cameron Yates, Bowen Yates, and Barrett Yates, three great-grands: Ellie, Ollie, Maggie Neal.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church at 6:00 P.M. A time of visitation will follow the service in the Family Life Center. Bro. Larry White and Bro. Gary Henson will conduct the service. Arrangements are by Jackson’s Funeral Home.
