Ruth E Neal

Ruth Ellen Presson Neal passed away peacefully on Christmas Night, December 25th, 2018, at her residence in Fort Myers, Florida. She was the youngest daughter, born to Lloyd J. Presson and Ora Louise Martin on September 3rd, 1931 in Mansfield, Arkansas.
Ruth was valedictorian of her class at Mansfield High School and continued her education at the University of Arkansas, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
She moved to Fort Myers Florida sometime after graduation where she worked for National Airlines out of Page Field. She eventually went to work for her Brother-in-Law, Dan Harper, at Harper Bothers working for many years as Office Manager.
Ruth married Leo Neal Jr. on June 14th, 1959 at McGregor Baptist Church. She traveled the country with her husband, Father-in-Law Leo Neal Sr., as well as Brother-in-Law William R. Neal as they built golf courses. After living in Boca Raton a few years, they moved back to Fort Myers to raise their two sons, Leo Derrick Neal and Lloyd Gregory Neal.
Ruth was a dedicated mother and grandmother. She loved having the grandkids in the house, oftentimes hosting all seven for sleepovers. She always made time for special events and holidays with the family, frequently found looking on with a huge smile as kids opened gifts leaving nothing but the surrounding floor full of wrapping paper. She loved it all, including the singing, dancing, and scraped-up knees from climbing the mango tree.
In her free time Ruth was often found reading. She loved her trips to the library to pick out a few new books for the week. Beyond the book adventures, she loved to be social in her small group of friends at Senior Fiends, where they would partake in a few outings each month. There was one place you could find her each and every Sunday, praising the lord and listening to his word at Cypress Lake Baptist Church.
Ruth is survived by her son Lloyd Gregory Neal, his wife Cheryl Neal (Hoenie) and their two daughters Sarah Neal and Rachel Harder, Daughter-in-Law Lynne Neal (Buff) and her daughters Jaquelyn Neal, Stephanie Neal, Alexandra Neal, and Rebecca Neal.
She was preceded in death by her two sisters Ann Harper (Presson) and Amy Nelson (Presson), as well as her husband Leo Neal Jr., son Leo Derrick Neal, and beloved granddaughter Christina Elaine Neal.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, December 29th, 2018, 2 pm at Harvey-Engelhardt Funeral Home.
1600 Colonial Blvd • Fort Myers, FL

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