Mari Rose Neal

Service held on May 31, 2014 at 11am in the Clarence Jimerson Memorial Chapel. Mari Rose (Manning) Neal, was born on January 24, 1954, in Enid, Oklahoma, to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Duncan and Ella Mae (Bables) Manning. The youngest of this union, Mari, was born a twin. Mari graduated from Enid High School in 1972, and went on to attend Cameron College in Lawton, O.K. and Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C. On July 14, 1973, Mari joined her forever love, Charles Neal, in holy matrimony. Charles and Mari began their lives together in Rock Hill, S.C., and after 5 years, they then relocated to Flint, MI. After an adventurous nearly 10 years of wedded bliss, and then living in Ft. Worth, TX, Mari gave birth to their one and only child, RozLyne. Mari spent many years in the banking industry. Her love for all people, especially children, led to her numerous volunteer hours and eventual employment with the Fort Worth Independent School District. The jobs that Mari took the most pride in was being a loving Wife, caring Mother, and more recently, a joyous “Gammy”, to her Granddaughter, Miyari Rose, who she fondly referred to as her “Papoose”. Mari’s interests included reading, traveling with Neal, all types of entertainment, drinking coffee and occasional wine tasting. Loving on her Papoose was one of her life’s pleasures. She also loved shopping, days spent at “The Nail Shop”, laughing, smiling and making new friends. Mari never met a stranger; she had a genuine smile for everyone. Mari was preceded in death by parents, Henry and Ella Mae, an infant twin brother, and a beloved eldest sister, Gladys H. Newton. Left to treasure her memory are her devoted and loving Husband and best friend for over 40 years, Charles Neal; Daughter, RozLyne and “Son”, Mychael; Granddaughter, Miyari Rose and a “GrandPup”, Juan Karlos. Mari also leaves behind brothers; John Henry and James, sisters; Bonnie, Olive and Margaret; two aunts, Mary Lindsey and husband, Carl, of Bakersville, CA. and Gloria Bables of Wichita, KS., an uncle, Walter Bables and wife, Alberta of Inglewood, CA., and a great-uncle Earl Wiley, of Wichita, KS. In addition to numerous extended family members and friends who all held a very special place in her heart. We will miss her kind and loving spirit…