Mr. Dearing was born on March 27, 1927, in Camden, Arkansas to Neel Dearing, SR., and Annie Lee Burns. His family moved to Greenville and then to Dallas for his father's administrative positions at the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company. When his parents divorced, he moved out of his home at the age of 14, paying a couple to stay in a bedroom in their Lakewood home. He continued high school and took on 2 jobs: (1) delivering the Dallas Morning News papers from 5:00-8:00 AM, and (2) working concessions at the local movie theatre from 3:00- 11:00 PM. He graduated a year early from North Dallas High School as the Boy's Valedictorian at the age of 16.
Next, he met his future wife Mary Sprinkle at the Greenville roller skating rink and voluntarily signed up with the US Navy, and attached to the US Marine Corps, serving in World War II. Mary was an officer of the Greenville Flaming Flashes drill team and carried the US flag in parades. She was voted 'Most Beautiful'' by her classmates her senior year. Neel and Mary were wed at the Greenville Justice of the Peace office after her high school graduation. They were members of Washington Street Baptist Church which later became Highland Terrace Baptist Church. Neel was a Sunday School teacher and a deacon. Mary worked at Henson-Kickernick and later became the secretary to the Highland Terrace Church pastor. Neel worked for Babcock Brothers, for D.A. Steele furniture restoration, and for the US Postal Service from which he retired as Postmaster of Point, Texas. Neel was also an excellent golfer; he played in several Pro-Am Tournaments and in tournaments benefiting charities. Mary passed away after a 4 year battle with cancer in 1988.
Later on, Neel met Alice Lanting at Highland Terrace Church. Alice had also lost her former spouse to a long illness. Alice said that as she was walking down the hall in the church, she saw Neel for the first time from the back. She said that at that first glance, God told her that Neel would someday marry her, which he later did! They had many happy years together in Greenville, and he was able to be involved in the lives of her grandchildren as they became adults. Sadly, Alice passed away suddenly from a heart condition in 2008.
Never one to like being alone, Neel kept up many friendships along the way. Having lived in Greenville most of his life, he knew many long-time Greenville residents. To all who knew him, he was an example of how a believer in Christ should live. Neel passed into his heavenly home peacefully, trusting in Jesus as his Savior and his Lord.
He is survived by his daughter Carol Ann Graham and her husband Page; grandchildren Christina Renee Jones and her husband Drew; Shane Davis Graham and his wife Alexandrea; and great-grandchildren Jacob Joshua Jones and Analise Hope Jones. He is also survived by daughter-in-law Penny Lanting, and step-grandchildren John Lanting, Jr., Gary Lanting, Jeff Lanting, and Jerry Lanting, and Michelle Lanting, as well as by many step-great-grandchildren.
Neel was preceded in death by Mary Dearing and Alice Lanting Dearing, by his twin sons, Ronald and Donald Dearing, by his sister Janie Dunlap, and by his sister Dorothy Robinson, all of Greenville. He was also preceded in death by his step-sons Bruce Lanting, of California, and John Lanting, Sr., of Georgia.
Pallbearers will be Bill Dennis, Richard Hardy, Marc Milton, Randy Ragan, Ian Sagun and Ray Walen.
Condolences(1)
Tammy Monk Powell
GREENVILLE, TX Friday, September 5, 2025 Carol, I am so very sorry for your loss. We were neighbors growing up on Wolfe City Drive and I remember your mom's sweet face and your kind dad. Mr. Dearing came into the office here where I work at Tarpley Realtors and we talked about living in Reavlon! Prayers for you and your family.Tammy