Carroll Maida Neal

Carroll Maida Neal, a devoted and caring mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and member of the Lutheran church, passed away on Thursday, November 26th at the age of 87.

Carroll was born on December 14, 1932 in Lanesville, IN. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University where she met the love of her life. She married Richard E. Neal August 25, 1956. They raised four children together, Bruce, Laura, John, and Mary, in the St. Thomas Lutheran parsonage in Charles Town, WV.

She was known for her dedication and service to the Lutheran church. She was a long-time member and organist at St. Thomas Lutheran in Charles Town, WV where her husband was the pastor for 46 years. After their formal retirement from St. Thomas, Carroll became a member at St. John’s Lutheran in Martinsburg, WV where she continued to volunteer and serve her community. She worked and retired from the Old Opera House in Charles Town, WV where she was a member of the Theater Guild.

Carroll was an avid reader, master knitter, and known for creating smorgasbord-style meals for her large family. She lived a life in service of others and always made everyone feel loved. Her calm and reassuring presence made others feel safe and welcomed.

Carroll is preceded in death by her husband, Richard E. Neal. She is survived by her children Bruce Neal (Charlestown, IN), Laura Neal (Shepherdstown, WV), John Neal and his wife, Valerie (Knoxville, TN), and Mary Duvall (Stephens City, VA). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brad, Jason, and Stephen Neal; Caroline, Benjamin, Madalyn, and Natalie Neal; Sarah and Jack Duvall; and survived by her three great grandchildren. She is survived by her two sisters, Venita Bruns and her husband, Bob (Allison, IA), and Noreta Bergstrom (LaGrange, IN).

A celebration of Carroll’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church at 101 West Martin Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401, St. Thomas Lutheran Church at 119 South Seminary Street, Charles Town, WV 25414 or The Old Opera House, 204 North George Street, Charles Town, WV 25414.

Arrangements are by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.

Please sign the online guestbook and view her obituary at www.mtstrider.com.