Rev. Earl E. Neat, 97, of Columbia, KY passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023, at his residence. Born in Adair County, KY on September 17, 1926, to the late James Thomas and Susie Holtzclaw Neat. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha Justin Bottoms Neat, a daughter Donna Sue Neat, and thirteen siblings.

Mr. Neat was a member of the Caldwell Ridge Separate Baptist Church and was the pastor of many churches in the area over the years. He was the oldest living Separate Baptist Minister in the association upon his death. He enjoyed serving his Lord and Savior in any capacity he could and enjoyed spending time fishing and flower gardening with his wife Martha until her death in 2004.

Survivors include three children Louise Harmon of Columbia, KY, Larry Neat (Gaylon) of Campbellsville, KY, and Sheila VanBuskirk (Robert Laverne VanBuskirk, Jr.) of Cecilia, KY; ten grandchildren Angela Ford, Thomas Burton, Richard Burton, Farrah Richie, Leigh Hughes, Erica Grant, Bryne Beck, Melissa Mobley, Steven Lemmon, and Quincie Lemmon; eighteen great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Monday, September 25, 2023, at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the New Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00-8:00pm and will continue Monday until time for the service at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.