Mother Willie B. Neal was born almost 94 years ago, August 16, 1927, in Holmes County, Mississippi,
to her parents, Louis and Maggie Weathers. After beginning her education in the Holmes County
Public School System, she moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi as a teen. For a short time, Mother Neal
resided in Jonestown and later moved to West 2nd Street.
Mother Neal met and married John Wesley Neal in 1946. Her beloved husband preceded her in
death. Five children were born to this union: Johnnie Neal Jackson of Atlanta; John Wesley Neal, Jr.
(deceased); Reverend Lawyer Neal, II, Waco, Texas; Willye Neal Thomas, Yazoo City, Mississippi; and
Carolyn F. Neal White (Armond), Indianapolis, Indiana.
An inspiration to her family, Mother Neal stressed the importance of education to her children. She
was the unidentified, concerned parent quoted in the 'History of Lamar Street – Ann Brookins
Center' who spoke of the need for a kindergarten in Yazoo City. Although she did not know how she
would send her five children to college, she prioritized higher education in her home. As a result, all
five children earned scholarships which assisted in defraying college expenses.
Having four children in college, Mother Willie B. Neal began studying for her GED and finished the
program y passing her exams at Valley State College, now Mississippi Valley State University.
Active in her church and community, Mother Neal was a member of St. Peter Baptist Church for
eighty years. At St. Peter, she served in numerous capacities, including: Senior Choir Director;
Missionary Society President; Sunday School Teacher of the Children's Class; Young Women's
Association (YWA) and Laymen League Coordinator, in addition to Angelic Mass Choir featured
soloist. Beyond her local church, she was active in the Yazoo County Associations and State
Conventions where she shared her talents as Yazoo County Song Leaders Association President and
Mississippi State Gospel Chorus Secretary.
Mother Willie B, Neal's civic and social involvement included the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Federated
Club; the NAACP; and the Triangle Cultural Center Board of Directors. She was employed by the
State of Mississippi at the former Welfare Department. As a homemaker from 1965 to 1989, she
helped bring stability to numerous at-risk families. After twenty-five years on the job, she came
home to care for her husband who was ill at the time.
Mother Neal became an entrepreneur in her eighties when she opened "Weathers and Neal Thrift
Shop", and, at ninety years old, she became a radio personality on Radio Station WYAD. Her
program, "A Thought - With Mother Willie B. Neal", airs Sunday mornings and Monday nights
locally.
Mother Willie B. Neal leaves to mourn her transition her four living children and her grandchildren:
Patrice Carlton; Valerie Carlton; Rodney Neal; Russell Neal; Reginald Neal; Cortez Grady; Shalah
Smith; James Reginald Jackson; Margaret Enis; Tariq Naseer; Jonathan Neal; Jessika Neal; Lisa Neal
Smith; Candace Neal, and Crystal Anthony, in addition to numerous great grandchildren.
Also mourning her transition are her sisters Vera Weathers Hubbard and Kathy Weathers Perry;
brothers, Reverend Joe N. Weathers and Robert "Maine" Perry, along with nieces, nephews and a
host of other relatives and friends.