Funeral services for Marvin Regan Neal, age 86 of Bernice, LA, will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, November 10, 2025 at First Baptist Church Farmerville with Rev. Roger Johnson and Rev. Kurt Auger officiating. Interment will follow at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home.

Marvin and Nelda were high school sweethearts and were married on November 26, 1959, and outside of the first 2 years of their marriage they spent their whole life in Union Parish.  He was an independent distributor for Foremost Milk for 18 years and was a school bus driver for Union Parish Schools for 3 years of those same years.  He decided to be a farmer full-time and farmed chickens, cattle, and always had a large vegetable garden. When planting his garden each year, he always made sure to plant extra (or too many) rows of vegetables for the community widows, pastors, friends and extended family.

Together they raised 4 children who have blessed them with 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.    Family was so important to him.  He centered his life around his family, including his many nieces and nephews as they also looked to him for advice in many of life choices and experiences.

He attended First Baptist Church in Farmerville, LA for over 60 years.  He was ordained and served as a deacon in the church.  He also served several years as Chairman of the Deacons.   He instilled his love for the Lord with his children, and with his wife, Nelda raised their children where they grew to know and love the Lord, and each made a profession of faith.

He was humble but hard working.  He loved working with his hands on his land.  Few daylight hours were wasted when he had something he wanted or needed to get done.  This strong work ethic is another trait that was passed to ALL their children.

He loved to joke around.  If he joked with you, then you know you were loved.  He often had and shared his opinions on whatever the topic or situation might be at the time.

This is a great loss for the Neal family.  During this difficult time, the family would like to thank the many neighbors and friends, the Best Home Health Services, and Elara Caring Hospice Services for their help and compassionate care while he was sick.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Mary Morris Neal; and his three sisters, Gloria Neal Odom, Rose Neal Tucker, and Allie Faye Neal Taylor.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nelda Neal; children, Tammy Porter (Bobby), Ronda Roberts (Milton), John Neal (Julie), and Kelby Neal (Mercy); grandchildren, Samantha Giunta (Nick), Lily Danielle Porter, Caleb Neal Roberts (Emily), Joli Lee (Bruce), John Wesley Neal (Brittany), Jase Neal, Brianna Caitlin Neal, Lily Morgan Neal, and Sadie Reagan Neal; and his great grandchildren, Porter William Giunta, Archer Nicholas Giunta, Brooke Roberts, Gatlyn Neal, Hailey Lee, Shelby Lee, and Gabriel Lee.

Serving as pallbearers will be Tim Tettleton, Greg Kirk, Caleb Roberts, John Wesley Neal, Jase Neal, and Bruce Lee.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM, prior to the service, Monday, November 10, 2025 at First Baptist Church Farmerville.