Theressa Jean Gant-Neal September 10, 1924 – April 19, 2020

Theressa Gant-Neal, of Augusta, passed away at her home at the age of 95. She was the youngest child of John Gant and Clara McIntosh-Gant and was born in Fitzhugh. Theressa was baptized at an early age at Lake Grove Baptist Church in Fitzhugh, where she became a lifelong member. During her time at Lake Grove, she served as a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 plus years, she sang with the church’s choir and in later years she became a member of the church’s Mother’s Board.

She received her early education from the Fitzhugh Community Public School, where she attended until she completed her 8th grade year. Upon completing her education in Fitzhugh, she was sent to Brinkley, to complete her high school education at the Consolidated White River Academy School (CWR Academy). She completed her high school education at CWR Academy in 1943, after which she enrolled at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, where she was an English major, and completed 2 years of higher education (1943-1945).

An avid and staunch advocate of education, Theressa began a long career in the educational field as a substitute teacher and a teacher’s aide at the Fitzhugh Community Public Schools, where she worked for several years. After a few years and with the process of integration, she went to work for the Augusta Public Schools, where she worked for more than 17 years. She also worked at the Augusta Head Start Program for several years before retiring.

As a very active member of her community, “REP” as Theressa was lovingly known made service, as well as her devotion to knowledge and education, one of the bedrock principles of her life. She was a volunteer for the Prestigious Corporation for National and Community Service by becoming a foster grandparent with the Arkansas Head Start Association. She was a local poll worker on the Woodruff County Board of Elections for many years. She also served as a judge for the Oasis Organization, where she and others would judge essay’s written by contestants.

Her husband, Anderson Neal Sr.; her parents; one daughter, Beverly Ann Neal-Floyd; a grandson, Dexter Smith; a daughter-in-law, Marietha Neal; two sons-in-law, Keithie Maxwell and Karl Dockery, Sr.; her siblings, Walter Gant, Homer Gant, Floyd Gant, John Eddie Gant, Gloria Dean Neal, Jewellyen Dean Dawson, Hattie Eckwood, and Searcy Howard, all preceded her in death. Survivors are: six sons, Robert (Julia) Neal, of Burlington, NC, Anderson Neal Jr., of Texarkana, Arthur Neal, of Little Rock, Fernell (Pamela) Neal, of Pine Bluff, Gerald (Gwendolyn) Neal, of Olive Branch, MS, and Steven (Donna) Neal, of Memphis, TN; five daughters, Laverne Neal-Smith, of Chicago, Ill, Arlene Neal Maxwell and Vera Neal-Dockery, both of Memphis,TN, and Elsie (John) Chestnutt and Dorothy Neal, both of Augusta; her sister-in-law, Stella Gant, of St. Louis, MO; 19 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Graveside services were April 25 at New Quiet Cemetery in Augusta with Reverend Gary Browning officiating. Arrangements were by Branscumb Funeral Home of Brinkley.