155th/Medical Detachment
31st Infantry Division
Ray Neal Daniel was born on March 3, 1920 to May Bell Oldham Daniel
and Neal Daniel in Yazoo County. He died Sunday, February 21, 2010,
in Yazoo City,
He is preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Hubert; older sister, Margaret Daniel Irvin Sheffield; his younger sister, Francis Daniel Sibley; and granddaughter, Lyndall Gail Wood.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Eloise Fears Daniel, daughters, Gail Daniel Wood and Diane Daniel Vick; son, Ray Neal Daniel, Jr.; and grandchildren, Alison Arnita Wood King and Daniel Jonathan Wood.
Ray Neal attended Mechanicsburg Grammar School and graduated from Satartia Central High School in 1938.
While attending Hinds Junior College in Raymond, MS, he joined the National Guard, Medical Detachment, 155th Infantry, 31st Division (Dixie) in 1939. Ray Neal was inducted into Federal Service for one year on November 1940 which stretched into December 1945. His division was a training division until 1943. In January 1944, the 155th was shipped to New Guinea and later made an amphibious invasion on Morotai Island (Moluccas) for the purpose of establishing a B-29 base for retaking the Philippines. In 1945, the 155th landed on Mindanao Island, Philippines where Ray Neal's unit deployed until the end of World War II.
Ray Neal and Eloise were married on December 24, 1943 before his unit was deployed overseas. Upon returning home, Ray Neal and Eloise made their home in Jackson, MS where Ray Neal attended Millsaps College and Jackson Commercial College. In 1947, Ray Neal began working for Jackson Packing Co. where he worked for 40 years as an accountant, retiring as the office manager in March 1987.
Ray Neal was active in West Park United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board and as Chairman of the Board. When the family moved their membership to Epworth U.M.C., Ray Neal served on the board. Later, Ray Neal and Eloise attended Alta Woods U.M.C. Civic responsibility was also important; therefore, he joined the Capitol (southwest) Lions Club, serving as an officer in many capacities including that of President. Before he retired, Ray Neal became a Gideon and was active in that organization before and during retirement.
In 1985, before he retired from Jackson Packaging Co., Ray Neal and Eloise began DanFear Christmas Tree Farm which they operated until 2000. Ray Neal was active in Mt. Olivet U.M.C. And helped to organize Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department where he served as chief for about 8yrs. He was a member in good standing of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. In retirement Ray Neal and Eloise enjoyed traveling, bird watching, and gardening.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Eloise Fears Daniel of Bentonia, two daughters, Gail Daniel Wood and husband, Rev. John C. Wood of Bentonia and Diane Daniel Vick and Husband Cecil of Jackson; a son, Rev. Ray Neal Daniel, Jr. and wife Annete Helton of Raleigh, MS; granddaughter, Alison Wood King and her husband, Rev. Allen Arthur King of Brookhaven; grandson, Daniel Jonathan Wood of Baton Rouge, LA; and two sisters, Mernette Daniel Sibley and her husband, Lamar of Bentonia; Mattie Jo Daniel Cook and her husband, Steve of Vicksburg and one uncle, Bill Oldham of Bentonia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at Mt. Olivet U.M.C. At 11:00 am with visitation prior from 9:30 until 11:00 am. Stricklin King Funeral Home in Yazoo City will be handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Mt. Olivet Building Fund c/o Billy Gail Sadler, 7535 Hwy 433 west, Bentonia, MS 39040.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Hubert; older sister, Margaret Daniel Irvin Sheffield; his younger sister, Francis Daniel Sibley; and granddaughter, Lyndall Gail Wood.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Eloise Fears Daniel, daughters, Gail Daniel Wood and Diane Daniel Vick; son, Ray Neal Daniel, Jr.; and grandchildren, Alison Arnita Wood King and Daniel Jonathan Wood.
Ray Neal attended Mechanicsburg Grammar School and graduated from Satartia Central High School in 1938.
While attending Hinds Junior College in Raymond, MS, he joined the National Guard, Medical Detachment, 155th Infantry, 31st Division (Dixie) in 1939. Ray Neal was inducted into Federal Service for one year on November 1940 which stretched into December 1945. His division was a training division until 1943. In January 1944, the 155th was shipped to New Guinea and later made an amphibious invasion on Morotai Island (Moluccas) for the purpose of establishing a B-29 base for retaking the Philippines. In 1945, the 155th landed on Mindanao Island, Philippines where Ray Neal's unit deployed until the end of World War II.
Ray Neal and Eloise were married on December 24, 1943 before his unit was deployed overseas. Upon returning home, Ray Neal and Eloise made their home in Jackson, MS where Ray Neal attended Millsaps College and Jackson Commercial College. In 1947, Ray Neal began working for Jackson Packing Co. where he worked for 40 years as an accountant, retiring as the office manager in March 1987.
Ray Neal was active in West Park United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board and as Chairman of the Board. When the family moved their membership to Epworth U.M.C., Ray Neal served on the board. Later, Ray Neal and Eloise attended Alta Woods U.M.C. Civic responsibility was also important; therefore, he joined the Capitol (southwest) Lions Club, serving as an officer in many capacities including that of President. Before he retired, Ray Neal became a Gideon and was active in that organization before and during retirement.
In 1985, before he retired from Jackson Packaging Co., Ray Neal and Eloise began DanFear Christmas Tree Farm which they operated until 2000. Ray Neal was active in Mt. Olivet U.M.C. And helped to organize Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department where he served as chief for about 8yrs. He was a member in good standing of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. In retirement Ray Neal and Eloise enjoyed traveling, bird watching, and gardening.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Eloise Fears Daniel of Bentonia, two daughters, Gail Daniel Wood and husband, Rev. John C. Wood of Bentonia and Diane Daniel Vick and Husband Cecil of Jackson; a son, Rev. Ray Neal Daniel, Jr. and wife Annete Helton of Raleigh, MS; granddaughter, Alison Wood King and her husband, Rev. Allen Arthur King of Brookhaven; grandson, Daniel Jonathan Wood of Baton Rouge, LA; and two sisters, Mernette Daniel Sibley and her husband, Lamar of Bentonia; Mattie Jo Daniel Cook and her husband, Steve of Vicksburg and one uncle, Bill Oldham of Bentonia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at Mt. Olivet U.M.C. At 11:00 am with visitation prior from 9:30 until 11:00 am. Stricklin King Funeral Home in Yazoo City will be handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Mt. Olivet Building Fund c/o Billy Gail Sadler, 7535 Hwy 433 west, Bentonia, MS 39040.
Published in Clarion Ledger on February 24, 2010
James D. West - www.Indianamilitary.org