Molly Harper Neal
Funeral services for Molly Harper Neal, 90, of Ruston, were held Monday, December 27, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Dubach.
Visitation was held Monday, December 27, 2021, from 10 a.m.until time of service at the Fellowship Baptist Church. Rev. Connie Smith and Rev. Walt Brown officiated, and interment followed at the Fellowship Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.
Molly was born on August 9, 1931, in Winnfield, to Essie Crain Harper and John Wesley Harper. The middle daughter of three girls, Molly graduated from Winnfield High School at age 16 and in 1948 married her high school sweetheart Gerald Hammons Neal.
After Gerald’s service in the Navy and schooling at LA Tech the young couple, along with their first two children, moved to St. Charles Parish, where three more children were born. Gerald took a job at Monsanto Chemical Company in Luling, where he worked until retirement. Molly made lifelong friends in the Mimosa Park Subdivision, where she raised the children, enjoyed yard work, and learned how to “cook Cajun.” Peeling shrimp in the backyard was a summer ritual, and the Thanksgiving meal was always duck and dressing. Molly’s sewing machine could be heard whirring long into the night, making church outfits for Missy and Debby.
Gerald called Molly “The General” — she got things done! The Neal family faithfully attended First Baptist Church and The Bible Center Church in Luling. Upon retirement Gerald and Molly returned to Lincoln Parish, home to Gerald’s ancestors and many relatives. They were active members of Fellowship Baptist Church.
Molly spent many happy hours planting bulbs and helping create the church’s “Prayer Garden.” In recent years Molly also attended Temple Baptist Church where she enjoyed many special friendships.
Molly was preceded in death by her husband Gerald, infant daughter Theresa Lynn, sister Kathleen Harper McConathy, and sons-in-law Ronnie Hollimon and Pat Danford.
Molly is survived by her sister Linda Sheffield and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Deborah “Debby” Hollimon, Molly “Missy” Dutcher, Gerald “Jerry” Neal and wife Terri, John Neal and wife Janet; grandchildren:, Casey Bowles and husband Logan, Jake Hollimon and wife Tieal, Neal Hollimon, Jennifer Cavalier and husband Cody, Stefanie Landry and husband Joshua, Hannah LaGrange and husband Scott, Jason Danford, Jarrod “Boomer” Danford and wife Stacy, Brody Neal, Harper Neal, Trevor Devereaux; great grandchildren, June and Rosemary Bowles, Sydney and Maple Hollimon, Braiden Hollimon, Lane and Aubrey Cavalier, Sofie and Andi Landry, Jaycee and Cole Danford Benjamin and Ruby Danford.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery Fund c/o David Hartwell 1025 Hay House Road Dubach, LA 71235
