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Sept. 29, 1937 – May 12, 2024

NATCHEZ – Services for Robert Alvin Neal, 86, of Lake Concordia, LA, who passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024, will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Parkway Baptist Church in Natchez with the Rev. Jim Sanders officiating. There will also be a graveside service held on Friday, May 17, at Bethesda Cemetery in Senatobia, MS at 10 a.m.

Visitation will be held at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday, LA on Wednesday, May 15, from 5 until 8 p.m.

Robert was born Sept. 29, 1937, in Alva, MS to A. L. and Mattie Sue Sledge Neal. He lived there until the age of 12 when his family moved to Senatobia. It was here that he met the love of his life, Nancy Anne Dillon. He was a 1955 graduate of Senatobia High School and attended Northwest Community College. He joined the National Guard and served for nine years gaining the rank of Sergeant. On Aug. 2, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart and they

celebrated 50 years of marriage before her passing in 2007.

He and Nancy moved to Natchez in 1961, when they purchased the Royal Crown Bottling Company. They operated it until 1966. He then worked for Natchez Coca-Cola Bottling Company where he retired as Operations Manager after 32 years of service. He was also a volunteer Fireman for Concordia Parish for 30 years. After retirement, he could be seen driving buses for church trips, football games, or tourism. He loved people and enjoyed traveling.

He was a faithful member of Parkway Baptist Church since 1961 and was ordained as a Deacon in 1972. He was an avid hunter and loved to fish even if it was just off his pier. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and the many camping trips he took with his family. Robert loved spending time with his family. He will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to know him.

He is reunited with his wife, Nancy Dillon Neal, and parents, Alvin “AL” Neal and Mattie Sledge Neal.

Those left behind to cherish Robert’s memories are his daughter, Lisa Neal Sanders and her Husband, Benjie of Natchez, MS; grandchildren, Dillon Hollingsworth of Natchez, MS, Brandon Sanders and his wife, Allison of Brandon, MS, Kaylee Vaughn and her husband, Dakota of Hattiesburg, MS, and Harlee Sanders of Vidalia, LA; brother, Homer Gene Neal and his wife, Julia of Collierville, TN; best friend, Juanita Allwell of Lake Concordia, LA; great-grandchildren,

Blakely, Laikyn, and Millie Jane Sanders; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Those honoring Robert as pallbearers are Denny Hinson, Matt Hinson, Brett Hinson, Pat Hinson, Trey Mason, Marshall Edmonds, and Danny Goldman.

Honorary pallbearers will be his Sunday School Class of Parkway Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday on Wednesday, May 15,

2024, from 5 until 8 p.m.

To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.youngsfh.com.