Rev. Earl E. Neat, 97, of Columbia, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023 at his residence. He was born in Adair County on September 17, 1926 to the late James Thomas and Susie Holtzclaw Neat. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Justin Bottoms Neat; a daughter, Donna Sue Neat; and 13 siblings.
Mr. Neat was a member of the Caldwell Ridge Separate Baptist Church and was the pastor of many churches in the area over the years. He was the oldest living Separate Baptist minister in the association upon his death. He enjoyed serving his Lord and Savior in any capacity he could and enjoyed spending time fishing and flower gardening with his wife, Martha, until her death in 2004.
Survivors include three children, Louise Harmon of Columbia, Larry Neat (Gaylon) of Campbellsville, and Sheila VanBuskirk (Robert Laverne VanBuskirk, Jr.) of Cecilia; 10 grandchildren, Angela Ford, Thomas Burton, Richard Burton, Farrah Richie, Leigh Hughes, Erica Grant, Bryne Beck, Melissa Mobley, Steven Lemmon and Quincie Lemmon; 18 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 25, 2023 at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the New Hope Cemetery.
