Mary Deaton Neal
Myrtle Beach, SC
Mary Deaton Neal, 88 years old, passed away Thursday, January 31, 2018.
Born December 10, 1930 in Kershaw, SC, the daughter of the late J. Enoch and Effie Deaton. She was predeceased by four brothers Earl, Calvin, William and Jack Deaton.
Mary and Ernest came to Myrtle Beach in 1955. She loved Myrtle Beach and dedicated her service to making it a better home for all residents. She spearheaded the community drive for air conditioning in the local schools, served on the board of the town's first hospital, and raised funds for Chapin Library. Mary owned and operated Mary's Candle Cove in the Gay Dolphin for over twenty years and mentored many young people who worked for her. She and Ernest were charter members of Ocean View Baptist Church and together they selflessly served their calling to help build a church on the north end of the beach. Ocean View was their family and they made lifelong friends as they served God and shared His love.
Mary truly believed her life's calling was to love, support and cherish her husband of 69 years. Ernest was her childhood sweetheart and she dedicated herself to supporting his teaching and coaching career with Myrtle Beach schools. She was always in the bleachers cheering on the Seahawks and made a scrapbook of Ernest's coaching success. They were a wonderful team and were much loved by local students.
Mary loved to play bridge and was involved in numerous card groups. Time spent at the Dunes Club and Covenant Towers with her friends brought her great joy. 
Mary is survived by her husband, Ernest Neal; one daughter, Pamela Shaw (Kevin); two grandchildren, Lauren Shaw and Neal Shaw (Abigail); and one brother, Leroy Deaton of Aiken. She loved all of her nieces and nephews and spending time at Deaton family gatherings.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, February 4, 2019 at Ocean View Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service. A private entombment service will be held at a later date in Southern Palms Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P. O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.
An online guestbook is available at www.msfh.net.