Neil Jay Stephens Sr.

Funeral services for Neil Jay Stephens, Sr., 59, of Clinton, MS will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 24, 2015, at Mulhearn Funeral Home Chapel, Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA, with Mr. Richard Calhoun and Dr. Eric Pratt officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery.Neil died peacefully at his home Friday, July 17, 2015, of pancreatic cancer, with his wife and daughters at his side. His parents, Capt. Royal L. Stephens and Nancy Comer Stephens, preceded him in death. Survivors include his beloved wife of 20 years, Carol Lanningham Stephens; their daughters, Fallon LeeAnn and Alden Ralee Stephens; his son, Neil Jay Stephens, Jr. (Ashley) and daughter, Katherine Hope Stephens; brother Royal L. Stephens, Jr. (Jackie) and sister, Leah Allen; and in-laws, R. N. and Barbara Lanningham.Pallbearers will be David Bondy, Chris Darsey, Jeff Hautle, Kelly Kemp, Sean Smith and Scott Wilhite.Neil was born April 21, 1956, in Opelika, AL, and raised from age 11 in Panama City, FL. He worked in the family donut shop on the beach for six years, then with his father as a deckhand on their charter boat in the Gulf until he got his 100-Ton Captain’s License at the age of 19, where he worked all over the Gulf Coast. He worked in insurance sales and sales management for 18 years and in sales, and as a branch and territory manager for the southern U.S. with fence companies for 17 years. Neil was a Third Degree Master Mason and a 17-year resident of Clinton. He was baptized on October 14, 2001, and was a member of First Baptist Church Clinton. Neil loved to hunt and fish. He was an enthusiastic and devoted fan of Auburn University, a true War Eagle! Those who had the privilege of knowing Neil will remember him as a humble, selfless and true friend who had an infectious smile, love of laughter and kind word for everyone. He had a deep faith in Jesus Christ, a personality and kind heart that will be remembered by all. Neil faced his terminal diagnosis with a positive attitude, as he did everything in life. He talked about what a great life he had and how he was excited about the moment he would get to meet Jesus. Cancer eventually won the war against Neil’s body, but failed miserably against his spirit. Neil adored his family, serving as a pillar of strength for them even through his illness. To the end, it was his faith in God, love for his family, attitude and heart that ever conquered and never yielded.Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Franklin Graham Ministry, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, or Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation.Visitation will be at 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, July 23, 2015, and 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2015, at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA.Our family wishes to thank the many friends, members of First Baptist Church Clinton and healthcare professionals for their constant support of Neil. We can never fully express our gratitude for your prayers and concern. Also, thanks to Jack and Jill Later Stage Cancer Foundation for an unforgettable trip to Atlanta. Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.comMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington RoadMonroe, LA