Buddy Neal and his grandson Bri.

Someone once said, "For some life lasts a short while but the memories it holds last forever." In my opinion, the world lost a very special person last week.

Stanford T. "Buddy" Neal was born to Ted and Lillie Mae Neal on May 21, 1949 in Lepanto. He is the second of four children and the only boy. He was married for 38 years to the same lady, Dannye. Buddy had two children, one grandson, two nieces, one nephew, two grand-nieces, two grand -nephews and a host of friends.

Buddy was a very hard worker and a faithful member of the Lepanto First Baptist Church where he was a devoted choir member. He was a loyal employee for Hill Brothers Construction for approximately 13 years. He loved his family, friends and church.

Buddy fought a lengthy battle but he was the most selfless person that you would ever know. He did not want to put anyone out or have them dare show mercy or sympathy for him. Courage conquers all things and he proved it until the very end.

Learning that the church was taking a mission trip to Guatemala to help build a church, Buddy wanted to go. He told his wife and pastor that God had blessed him and the least he could do was give one week back to God. This trip was taken within the six months time span that the doctors had given him. He could have given up but instead he decided to live his life to the fullest.

Through Buddy's sister, my family learned that Buddy had requested a regular church service. I must admit, half way through the service, I thought yep Bro. Jim Duffel has lost it but as the service continued I heard Buddy Neal all in it. He wanted people to know his life was by no means perfect but he had made a change of heart. He wanted to go out witnessing to people and telling them that it is never too late to live life to the fullest and what a difference it makes once you except Christ. He was still thinking of others before himself. Buddy was never embarrassed to tell people how much he sincerely loved them. (We learned the next day through Bro. Jim that so many people were touched and one young lady was saved that night as a result).

Just a few weeks ago, the Neal's hosted a cottage prayer service in their home to pray for the community and the upcoming revival. He personally had special prayer for people on the church prayer list.

When asked by his daughter, Rachel, if he was scared, he quickly replied, "Sis', I'm not scared anymore, I know exactly where I'm going." Buddy was so strong with his walk with the Lord that he never doubted for a moment of his salvation. Others could most definitely see God throughout Buddy's life.

"Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it" said Irving Berlin. That is so Buddy Neal.

Helen Keller said "The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart". That is so Buddy Neal.

If you didn't have the privilege of ever knowing Buddy, what a loss. He will be greatly remembered, loved and missed.