Shirley Rebecca McNeal

Shirley Rebecca McNeal, a beloved resident of Panama City, Florida, formerly of Dadeville and Opelika, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the age of 91. Born on September 13, 1934, in Tallassee, Alabama, she spent her life cherishing the beauty and serenity of the lake that surrounded her. Her passion for this tranquil environment reflected her warm spirit and her love for the simple joys of life.

Mrs. McNeal worked at Ampex for thirty years, while living in Opelika, Alabama and then retired to Lake Martin in Dadeville, Alabama. She was a proud member of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church of Dadeville and had previously been a dedicated member of the Pepperell Baptist Church of Opelika, Alabama. Her faith was an integral part of her life, guiding her actions and nurturing her relationships within the community.

In addition to her unwavering faith, Shirley had a profound love for music. She often expressed her joy in singing and looked forward to attending the Southern Gospel Quartet Conventions every year. Music was an essential thread in the fabric of her life, bringing her comfort and happiness throughout the years.

She is survived by her loving family, including her daughter, Paula M. Rodriguez (Alex), and her son, Barry McNeal (Susan). She also leaves behind cherished grandsons, Kenneth McNeal (Tara) and Kener Rodriguez (Brittney), along with her grandson, Rene Rodriguez. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Micah McNeal, Isaiah McNeal, Madeline McNeal, Dominic Rodriguez, and Damian Rodriguez. The love she fostered extends further through several nieces and nephews, who will remember her with fondness and admiration. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ellis D. and Willie W. Sayers, as well as her brothers Rudy, Doyle, and Lawrence Sayers, all of whom she held dear to her heart.

As we gather to celebrate Shirley’s extraordinary life, her family will receive friends Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 9:00 AM until service time at 10:00 AM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home in Tallassee. Burial will follow at Carrville Cemetery.

May we honor her memory with the same love and joy she instilled in our lives, as we bid farewell to a remarkable woman who will forever be in our hearts.