Lysle Evans McNeal

Lysle Evans McNeal, 100, of Blakely, Ga. passed away peacefully on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Early Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Blakely, GA.

Mr. McNeal was born October 12, 1925 in Hartford, AL He grew up on a family farm in a tight knit community of farming families and graduated from high school in 1943. He joined the Army in 1944 and was in an infantry unit that was sent to the Philippines. After World War II he took advantage of the GI Bill and graduated from what is now Auburn University with a degree in agriculture. While at Auburn he met the love of his life, Latane Pitts, and they married on September 12, 1948. They moved to Blakely in March 1950 to help on Latane's father's farm. In addition to farming, he had several other jobs in the community until joining the Blakely Peanut Company where he stayed for 28 years.

Mr. McNeal led a full and rich life.He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, a former mayor, an avid Auburn football fan, a square dancer and a savvy card player. After retirement he and Latane made numerous RV trips around the U.S. with friends.

Lysle was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Candler McNeal and Callye Dora Mclaney McNeal, his sister, Betty Jean McNeal Hughes, his nephew, Grady Lanier Hughes Jr, his great-granddaughter, Leah Layne Pope, and his beloved wife, Latane Pitts McNeal. Lysle is survived by two sons, Michael Evans McNeal (Karen) and David Russell McNeal (Debra) both of Blakely and one daughter, Carol Jean McNeal Wright (Lawrence) of St. Augustine, FL. He is also survived by five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and one niece, Barbara Jean Hughes of Hartford, AL

Visitation will be held in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Blakely at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 22, 2025 followed by an 11:00 AM sanctuary service and a grave side service at the Blakely Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Georgia Hospice Care at carnationfoundation.org  or the Second Harvest Food Bank of South Georgia at feedingsga.org .