James McNeal
March 2, 1953 ~ April 21, 2018
James McNeal was born March 2, 1953, he left for his heavenly home on April 21, 2018 at Promise Nursing Skill Facility in Wichita Falls, Texas.
James was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina to Martha McNeal and Charles Harper. He was raised by his grandmother, Maggie McNeal and family. He graduated from Jacksonville High School. James as we called him, is known as Duke in Jacksonville. James gave his life to Christ at an early age. He attended the Sandy Run Missionary Baptist Church where he was a junior deacon. James had a passion for music and cars. He played the bass guitar for the Temple Singers of Richland, NC. until going into the Army in 1972. He served 20 years and retired as a Staff Sergeant. He did tours in Germany, Korea, Fort Bragg, NC and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He received numerous awards during his military career. James drove trucks for builders out of Duncanville, Texas. He attended Great Plains Vo-Tech where he took 3rd place in the state as a short order cook. James married Helen Young in Wichita Falls, Texas. James had a son James Jr. and a daughter Cynthia Rena McNeal. Helen had a son Lemarqus and a daughter Latorria Williams and they all became one big family. James loved his children and grandchildren with all his heart. James was a member of Saint James Baptist Church for 15 years and served as a deacon under the leadership of Pastor Samuel Hutcherson. James united with the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church and was a faithful member and a servant of God. He was a member of the church choir, brotherhood ministry and sung in the brother Choir. In 2017, he was ordained as deacon at the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma. James loved the Lord, He knew who held his hand through his life's journey. He continued to serve faithfully even though his steps were getting shorter. The Lord called him Home, A servant job well done.
The family he leaves to cherish his memories are his loving and devoted wife, Helen McNeal of Lawton, Ok; Two sons, James McNeal Jr. of Jacksonville, NC, Lemarques Williams and his fiancé Tamara both of Lawton, Ok; one daughter, La Torria Jackson and her husband Jimmy of Lawton, Ok; three granddaughters, Kamica McNeal of Jacksonville, NC, Nashara and Tatianna Jackson of Lawton, Ok.; Six grandsons, Jaedyn, Jyheim and Jamarie Williams of Lawton, Ok; Lemarqus, Jalieel Williams of Burlington, NC and Dakota Jackson, Sanford, NC; three aunts, Maybelle Tillman of Jacksonville, NC, Louise Humphrey of NC, Annie Branch of New York, Mother in law- Mary Alvarez of Mt. Home, ID; two sister in laws, Contance Dennard and April Towns of Washington, DC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and extended family.
James is preceded in death by his mother, Martha McNeal; father, Charles Harper; grandparents, Maggie and Handy McNeal and daughter, Cynthia Rena Williams.
Funeral Service
New Zion Baptist Church
- Monday, April 30, 2018
- 12:00 PM
- 2101 SW N.H.Jones Ave.
Lawton, OK 73501
- Interment will follow at Fort Sill National Cemetery.
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