Stephen Frederick Neel
May 16, 1955 ~ October 12, 2024
Stephen Frederick Neel, 69, of Palestine, Texas, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday the 12th of October, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Stephen was born on the 16th of May, 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana to parents Frederick Travis Neel and Genevieve Batavia Hill.
Stephen graduated from Palestine High School and went on to pursue a career following in his father's footsteps to become a certified gemologist, master jeweler, gold smith and appraiser. He earned many certifications from the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California. After traveling abroad for almost a year in Europe, he returned home to join the family business, Neel Jewelers. During his career as a trusted community jeweler he touched many lives by showing the same amount of attention and care to his clients as he did with their jewelry. His work was not only his profession but also his passion. He loved his work often saying if you enjoy your job you'll never work a day in your life. Many times he would get so caught up in his work he would have to reheat his coffee 3 or more times.
His love for his family and friends was truly felt by the attentiveness he gave to everyone he came in contact with. You knew when you were talking to Steve you were heard. He had a love for people and truly enjoyed trying to understand how they were hard wired and what spiritual gifts they possessed. His love for Christ was evident by his strong desire for everyone to know Jesus as their own personal Savior. He loved his family dearly, never turning down an opportunity to be with them. Game nights, one on one talks and going to get a sweet treat were some of the small things he enjoyed most with his family.
He leaves behind his cherished wife of 39 years, Marilyn Ann Neel, sons Austin Frederick Neel, of Tyler, Texas, Jordan Boyd Neel of Plano, Texas and daughter Jenna Catherine Hayes and husband Rodney Blake Hayes of Tyler, Texas; his brother Gregg Neel and wife Lezlee, of Granbury,Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents Frederick and Genevieve Neel and sister Carla Rawson of Palestine, Texas.
A service to honor the life of Stephen Neel is to be held at one o'clock in the afternoon, Tuesday, the 15th day of October, 2024 at Southside Baptist Church with Dr. Dan Gold officiating. Interment will follow in New Emmaus Cemetery in Cherokee County, Texas.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Dave Williams, Travis Neel, Rodney Hayes, Dennis Toole, Ken Rawson, and Curtis Reynolds. David Mendiola and the Men's Class at Southside Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Funeral services for Stephen Frederick Neel are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. Please visit online memorial tribute at www.rhonefuneralhome.com, where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to The Gideon's International.
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Blessings and prayers for Marilyn and family. Steve was always so accommodating and friendly.
Bill-Becky Lincoln Cooksey
Fort Worth
Mr. Neel was such a gem. From my senior ring to my wedding ring, to my cocktail ring … from my daughters first pair of diamond earrings and every repair and jewelry need in between, Mr. Neel was involved. I will pray for comfort and peace for his family.
Marilyn and Family,
Steve was a treasure to know, and your sweet family is in our prayers. He has always been such a gift to our community, and served our family for many years at Neel’s Jewelry. We are praying for healing and comfort in your heart as you go through this devastating loss.
Sending our love and sympathy to all of Steve’s family. We have you in our thoughts and prayers.
Gregg,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Marilyn and family,
May you hold onto those wonderfully sweet memories of Steve in your heart and find the comfort to face the days ahead. He touched so many people’s lives. I’m grateful I got the chance to know him. Sending you all much love during this difficult time.
Greg and family,
I was so very sorry to hear the news about Steve! I pray for God to shower down His grace and comfort for y’all during these difficult days. I’m sorry I will not be able to attend his memorial service.
Way back in 1981, Steve helped my future wife (Dianne) and me pick out our wedding rings. I still remember our church youth group (at FBC) playing ping pong and how Steve could return any shot I could make! He always had a smile and was very welcoming.
I know that today he is rejoicing in the presence of our Lord!
What a great guy! Kind, generous and a great sense of humor. Marilyn, love you all and praying for you as you navigate through this. May you know the Lord’s comfort and his deep love for you.
STEVE WAS ONE OF THE NICEST YOU COULD EVER MEET. HE ALWAYS SEEMED TO CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. ALSO HE WAS A TOP NOTCH JEWELER AS HE COULD SERVICE ANYTHING FROM A TIMEX TO A ROLEX. HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED
Steve was a great man. Anytime I had to go to Neel’s Jewelers I looked forward to the smiles and gentle service when I needed something fixed. He’ll be missed
So sorry to hear you have lost our sweet Mr. Neel. Loved taking my jewelry to him over the years. Even when I was a girl, my parents always bought and had repairs made at only Neels Jewelry. My husband bought my promise ring there when we were dating. We have very special memories of your family.
Praise Jesus we will get to see him again one day soon! If not for Jesus, losing our loved ones would be unbearable. Just remember, yes the loss of him here is so hard, but he’s more alive now than he’s ever been.
Praying He gives you His peace and comfort. Knowing He will.
Marilyn, I was saddened to read that you lost your beloved Steve. There is no doubt he is praising our Lord now. May God grant you and your family the peace you deserve and joy in your heart for anticipating being with him again in Heaven. He was one of the nicest guys I ever knew, and indeed carried within him the light of our Savior. Much love to your family.
Ode to Steve Neel
Losing Steve is like losing an extension of our family. He was a part of our family circle since before I was born and seemed more kin than friend as a wonderful neighbor for years. My life never existed without him being in it as he grew up alongside my mother and uncles. His children grew up alongside of me and my siblings. His character always of the sort of staple person who seems he was always there and always himself. His entire family feels like extended cousins and old staples in the community originating with his parents. He was truly an artist in his jewelry work and a calm, consistent character and loving friend and family man in life. His presence here on earth will be missed but his memory is a shining star of hope. Today he is rejoicing in Heaven and for that we are happy for him though we already miss him as he is no longer conveniently near if needed. Hugs to his family for what he cannot give them now. I am saddened in the moment by our loss but for his sake thankful he did not suffer a long and languishing demise but went with honor and speed to the arms of our Lord. We look forward to meeting up with him again in Heaven and I am sure he is greeted by his family gone before and waits for the rest of us. I’m sure his children and wife will continue his legacy of honor with grace and courage. My condolences and prayers go out for his family to comfort them with this unexpected life change and I pray we all have strength and courage to move on defined by the victory of a life well lived, not by the challenges of our loss but by the quiet un-lauded legacy of life victory and his continuing love for others. I am sure Jesus has awaited to embrace him face to face and he has no regrets for journey to our Lord’s side except for those of us left behind. He would want happiness to continue with his memories and we can mis him in sorrow and rejoice in his newfound joys.
To Marilyn and Family,
Mickey and I extend heartfelt condolences for your loss. Words at times like this are difficult as we know in our hearts that Steve is with Our Lord yet we have tears because we miss his presence in our lives. We also rejoice because Steve touched many hearts and as a witness for Jesus Christ, he was a blessing.
I pray the Lord holds you and your family in the palm of his hand and gives you the peace and comfort only he can give.
Marilyn & family,
What a sweet & talented man he was. I am so sorry for your loss.
Will miss Mr. Neel on his walks and his lawnmower. He was also very kind always speaking and friendly. May God comfort each of you during this time
My prayers and condolences to Marilyn and the entire family. He was a good Christian man and a very kind, caring person to all. God bless you and your family.
My deepest condolences to you, Marilyn. My heart aches for you for your loss of Steve. I enjoyed knowing your family through Southside Baptist Church years ago. Steve was one of the kindest, faithful, Christ-loving gentle men I’ve ever known. He lived a life of integrity, excellence, and love—personally and in his business. He was so supportive of you and me as we shared Jesus and His Word with some unsaved people at your kitchen table. I ran into him in Tyler a few months ago. He remembered me and we had a delightful chat. He will be deeply missed by many. I am praying for you and your precious family.