Fay Bradford Neal, Jr. was born to Fay Neal, Sr. and Spicey Whitlow on October 11, 1956, in Glasgow, KY. Upon graduating from Glasgow High School in 1974, of which he always bragged about his football days, Fay relocated to Bowling Green, KY where he attended Bowling Green Business College, earning his degree in Computer Programming. He worked for several companies throughout his career writing computer programs and overseeing software projects. In 1991, he was recognized by the Data Processing Management Association of SC Kentucky for his service as President. Fay used his knowledge to assist businesses, churches, and anyone who needed assistance with their home computer systems. The majority of his career was spent working in the Banking sector. Prior to his retirement from Franklin Bank & Trust in 2020, he received his Banking Degree from Illinois Wesleyan University’s Community Bankers School. Fay enjoyed his work and his coworkers, who have said that he could always be heard singing around the office.
Fay had a desire to serve his community and was happy to be of service to several boards and committees in his lifetime including The Franklin Simpson Chamber of Commerce, DPMA, The Simpson County School Board to name a few. However, he was most proud when he returned to Glasgow and had the opportunity to become involved in making a difference in the community he called home. His involvement with The Boys & Girls Club, the Glasgow-Barren County Ambulance Board, Barren County Democratic Organization, and his church, First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon, kept him busy and he enjoyed every minute. He knew the importance of having a seat at the table and took advantage of the opportunities to do so. To quote him “every child has an inalienable right to success at the level that they determine within themselves and have the opportunity to succeed.”
On July 19, 2001, Fay was initiated into the fraternal order of the Mason’s in the Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 28. While being a member of the organization through his entire life, he was a active participant in 3 houses and served at his highest honor of being a Past Master.
Fay’s first love was serving God. As a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, he served as Deacon, Treasurer, and taught Sunday School for 12 years. To this day, whenever he sees one of the young men he taught, they always reminisce on their days in his class. After returning to Glasgow, he continued his Christian service as a Deacon and Treasurer at First Baptist Church. His greatest joy was praising through song. Over the past 40 years, Fay sang with the Gospel Messengers and the Power of Praise quartet groups. And whenever he was asked to sing at any occasion, he was happy to do so.
Now that Fay has passed into the arms of our Lord, his physical life on earth is over, but it is the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for him. For Fay, it was always about making God’s beautiful Heaven his home. In that home, he joins his parents Fay Neal, Sr. and Spicey Whitlow, 3 brothers Eric Neal, Douglas Neal, James Neal; 2 sisters Janie “Katie” Barlow and Connie Hines; 2 nieces Consuleo Hines and Ryneshia Whitlow, as well as several other family members and friends.
Fay leaves to forever cherish his memory his devoted wife of 18 years Sonya Neal; his cherished daughter Brandi Barnett (Steven) of Columbia, SC; 2 lovely granddaughters Harper and Emerson Ramsdale; 3 bonus grandchildren Michael, Kiersten, and David; 2 sisters Rochelle Fuqua (Gary) of Louisville, KY and Ann Wilson (Jimmy) of Glasgow, KY; 2 brothers Ronnie Whitlow (Denise) and Robert Whitlow of Glasgow, KY; 8 brothers-in-law, 4 sisters-in-laws, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Fay and Sonya were blessed with a devoted sister-in-law, Terri Jones who helped them immensely throughout the trying times in his last days.
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