Mattie Ruth Martin Neal Obituary (1939 - 2018)

STOKESDALE Mattie Ruth Martin Neal, 78, entered Heavens gates Monday, April 30, 2018, from Hospice of Rockingham County. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Colonial Funeral Home and all other times at the residence. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Kallam Grove Christian Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Mattie Ruth was born in Stokes County on June 5, 1939, to the late Frank Porter Martin and Lottie Ethel Joyce Martin. She was a 1957 graduate of Sandy Ridge High School and retired from Gem-Dandy. She was a faithful member of Kallam Grove Christian Church where she served as church treasurer for over 40 years. She was a past chaplain of the Stokesdale Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and a leader of the Community Prayer Group. She loved working outside in her flowers and was known for her cooking, especially her pound cakes. Mattie Ruth was committed to serving the Lord and she did so with joy. One of her favorite scriptures was Psalm 121:1-2, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Bryce Alan Neal (February 2018); brothers Odell, Russell and Glenn Martin; sisters Mozelle Amos, Barbara Williams, and Judy Shelton; niece, Shannon Shelton; brothers-in-law, Sam Amos, Daniel Williams, William E. "Billy" Neal and James Robert "Bobby" Neal. Survivors include her children Mark Neal, Joyce N. Almstead (Steve), Jeff Neal (Michele); grandchildren, Chris Freeman (Sabrina), Will Neal (Chelsie), Hayley Almstead, Neal Almstead, Travis Neal, Amy Neal, Kelsi Lauer; brother, Harvey Martin; sisters, Shelby Williams, Marie Knight (Mike), Pat Carter, Dot Carter (Bobby), and sisters-in-law, Ann Martin and Carlene Neal and brothers-in-law, J.D. Williams and Gary Shelton and several special nieces and nephews. The family extends their appreciation to Mattie Ruths caregiver, Beverly Tysor. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375 or Kallam Grove Christian Church, 1390 Gold Hill Rd. Madison, NC 27025. Colonial Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family.