Lela Maxine Neal

Lela Maxine Neal, 80, of Fort Smith, entered into rest on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. She was born Sept. 14, 1930 in Fayetteville, Ark. to John and Mable Mayes. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister Louise Albright of Phoenix; her brothers Frank Mayes of Prairie Grove, Ark., Richard Mayes of Springdale, Ark., and Roscoe Mayes of Johnson, Ark. She was a homemaker and member of the West-Ark Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Donald L. Neal of Fort Smith; children, Barry Neal and wife Connye of Fort Smith, Pam Meimerstorff and husband Mickey of Tulsa, Okla. and Mike Neal and wife Linda of Fort Smith; seven grandchildren, Bart Blasengame of Portland, Ben Neal of Los Angeles, Erin Meimerstorf Coco of Lewisville, Texas, Lindsey Meimerstorf Jones of Tulsa, Okla., and Sara Neal of Fort Smith, Ark., and sisters Curmania Mayes of Springdale, Ark., and Irene Nickel of Fayetteville, Ark. The funeral service will be Monday, June 20, 2011, at 11:30 a.m., at the West-Ark Church of Christ with private burial service to follow at the U.S. National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Bill Dickey, Paul Shirley, Ron Belote, Dave Cogswell, Bob Null and Michael Cole. Honorary pallbearers will be Lyndell Foster, Bob Fisher, Jack Alexander, Jim Hall, Charlie Dicks and Jim Selig. The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.. Memorials may be made to the Wes-Ark Church of Christ library at 900 N. Waldron Road, in Fort Smith, Ark. To place online tributes visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.