Ruby Kate "Katie" McNeal

Ruby Kate Dodd McNeal

September 24, 1960 - January 29, 2026

Kate Dodd McNeal, Attala County resident and retired school teacher, passed away at UMMC in Jackson on January 29, 2026, after suffering extensive injuries in an automobile accident on December 30, 2025.

A "CELEBRATION OF LIFE" will be held on Saturday, February 28, at 2:00 P.M. at Springdale Baptist Church. Rev. James Young will conduct the service. Visitation will be held at Springdale Baptist Church from 1:00 PM until service time Saturday.

Katie was born at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, third child of Ben Aaron Dodd, Sr. and Emily Oakes Dodd. She attended Kosciusko High School and was a graduate of Holmes Community College and Delta State University. She taught school at Durant, Noxapater and Ethel High Schools. Katie was a lifetime member of the local VFW Auxiliary. She encouraged many of her students at Ethel to participate in the VFW Essay Scholarship programs. Through Mrs. McNeal's leadership, many of her students were involved in the "Aisle of Honor" held on Veteran's Day at Parkway Cemetery, where recently over 400 flags were flown honoring deceased veterans. Katie also was a volunteer at the Martha Jo Leslie Veterans Home, often assisting disabled veterans in attending worship services held there. Katie was of the Baptist Faith and a member of First Baptist Church, Kosciusko.

She is predeceased by her parents and only son, Robert Andrew Terry. She is survived by her husband, Ted McNeal, her two daughters, Angela Terry Taylor and Rebecca Terry; stepson, Jame McNeal (Renee) and stepdaughter, Susan McNeal Ables (Kenneth).

Also surviving are grandchildren: Gabbye Taylor, Liam Taylor, Raven Pernell, Lindsey McNeal, Laken McNeal Russell (Rickey, Jr.), Amber Sartain Goza (Braxton) and seven great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her three siblings: Martha Dodd Fleming (Kelly), Springdale Community; Ben Aaron Dodd, Jr. (Rhonda), Greenbriar, Arkansas; and Kim Dodd Neal (Al), Hesterville Community. Many nieces and nephews also survive her.

Memorials may be made to the Martha Jo Leslie Veterans Home, Kosciusko; Springdale Baptist Church Playground Fund, 28314 Attala Hwy. 19, West, MS 39192 or Gideons International, P.O. BOX 554, Kosciusko, MS 39090.

For online condolences visit culpepperfuneralhome.com