Jean Kinney Neal

Jean K. Culp Neal, 97, of Benton, Kentucky passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, Kentucky.

Jean was a registered nurse and nurse educator, serving on the Murray State University nursing faculty as an Associate Professor for over sixteen years. Prior to joining the MSU nursing faculty, she served as nursing instructor at Paducah Community College and later was chosen to be Director of Nursing at the Benton Municipal Hospital {now Marshall County Hospital).

She was a faithful member of Church Grove United Methodist Church, where she regularly attended and participated in worship services.

Especially dear to Jean was her family: three daughters; Dara Bass, Angie Morris and Nancy Jaco and husband, Philip. She had seven grandchildren; Craig Morris (Shelly), Michael Bass, Liz Miller (Tom), Seth Jaco (Desiree), Marci Schneider (Robert), Carrie Bass (James), and Hannah Reed (David Wayne). Her great grandchildren were Max Schneider, Clay, Luke & Keira Miller, Hudson & Molly Morris, Tyler Jaco, W. Reed & Ester Jean Reed, and Sam Polly. Her brother was Dr. Taz Kinney, Alvin Paul Kinney and Jewel Edward Kinney, sisters, Betty Haltom and Louise Hiett. Preceding her in death were her parents, Jim and Eura Kinney, her dear husband of over 18 years, John Lowell Culp, and husband of 5 years, Bob Neal, son-in-law, Don Morris and great-granddaughter, Olivia Jaco.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude at Murray State University earning a baccalaureate degree in nursing (MSN) and late a Master’s Degree in Education (MAed). She was awarded a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) from Wayne State University in Detroit and completed doctoral courses in gaining ABD status at the University of Kentucky. Early in her career, she received a certificate from Purdue University for a session of study on associate degree Nursing curriculum. She was a lifetime member of the Murray State University Alumni Association and was chosen 1988 “Distinguished MSU Nursing Alumnae.”

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Collier Funeral Home with Pastor Tommy Miles officiating. Burial will follow at Briensburg Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm service time on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Collier Funeral Home.

The family requests that memorials and expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to Church Grove United Methodist Church, 2660 Main Street, Benton, KY 42025.