BENTONIA — Ray Neal Daniel Sr. died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010, at King’s Daughters Hospital in Yazoo City. He was 89.

A Bentonia resident, Mr. Daniel was a 1938 graduate of Satartia Central High School and served in the National Guard from November 1940 until December 1945. He attended Hinds Junior College, Millsaps College and Jackson Commercial College.

Mr. Daniel retired as office manager in 1987 from Jackson Packing Co. With his wife, he operated DanFear Christmas Tree Farm. He helped organize Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department, serving as chief for eight years.

He was a member of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Bentonia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and May Bell Oldham Daniel; a brother, Hubert Daniel; two sisters, Margaret Daniel Irvin Sheffield and Frances Daniel Sibley; and a granddaughter, Lyndall Gail Wood.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Eloise Fears Daniel of Bentonia; one son, the Rev. Ray Daniel Jr. of Raleigh; two daughters, Gail Daniel Wood of Bentonia and Diane Daniel Vick of Jackson; two sisters, Mernette Daniel Sibley of Bentonia and Mattie Jo Daniel Cook of Vicksburg; two grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and other relatives, including Bill Oldham of Bentonia.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church with the Revs. Skipper Maxwell, Allen King and Dwight Sibley officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery under the direction of Stricklin-King Funeral Home of Yazoo City. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the service.

Pallbearers will be Tyler Fears, Ken Fears, Ron Fears, Calvin Sibley, Caleb Sibley, William Cook, Rob Herring and Larry Sibley.

Memorials may be made to the Mount Olivet U.M.C. Building Fund, c/o Billy Gail Sadler, 7535 Highway 433 West, Bentonia, MS 39040.