Marcella “Tenny” Ballard Neal, 88, of Myrtle Beach, SC passed away peacefully on June 1, 2025. She was born in Rock Hill, SC on March 10, 1937, the daughter of the late James “Jimmie” Lee Ballard and Willie Beatrice Shehan Ballard.
Her given name was Gracie Marcelle Ballard, but York County forever altered that by replacing a couple of e’s with a’s. Called Gracie and nicknamed Tenny (she was the smallest) by her daddy, she went by Marcel while attending Rock Hill High School. Her first job was at age 9 across the street from her home at Hinson’s Cannery shelling beans all day for a dime. After high school, she graduated from the Rock Hill School of Commerce and obtained her first “real” job at Celanese Corporation. In 1957 she married John H. Neal, Jr., and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC in 1960, as he was stationed there in the Air Force. She was a wonderful mother, Cub Scout Den-mother, teacher’s aide, and volunteer. She was a member of the Myrtle Beach Jayceettes. As a devout Christian, she attended the First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach for many years and later watched televised services when unable to drive. After divorcing, she began her hotel career, working first for the Coral Beach Resort, and then for the Breakers Resort (22 years).
She was preceded in death by her brothers: John Palmer Ballard, Palmer “Pam” Russell Ballard, and Kenlaw Jackson “Jack” Ballard; her sisters: Martha Lunette “Peanut” Deese, Beatrice Pauline “Bea” Bolin, Emmie Lee “Tookie” Brown, and Mildred Luena “Luena” Blue Childers; one son: John Farley Neal; and her ex-husband: John H. Neal, Jr.
She is survived by her two sons: John H. Neal, III of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Kenneth F. “Scooter” Neal (Shelley) of Celina, TX; two grandchildren: Kenneth Michael “Mikey” Neal of Celina, TX, and Anna Christine “Christy” Neal of Winston-Salem, NC. ; other close family members: Sue Neal of Myrtle Beach, SC, Donna Neal Self (Malcolm) of Lake Charles, LA, Rob Self of Lake Charles, Dan Self (Lauren) of Va Beach, VA, Shay Neal (Amber) of Phoenix, AZ, Ben Neal of Chicago, IL; and special friends: Scott Dombrowski, and Bailey Bowling; and an incredibly large number of nieces, nephews, and cousins all over the country.
Visitation will be at Greene Funeral Home on Ebenezer Rd in Rock Hill, SC on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from Noon to 1:30pm followed by a graveside service at Laurelwood Cemetery on White St at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prevent Cancer Foundation of Alexandria, VA (preventcancer.org)
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net.