Reverend Neal Raborn went to his heavenly home, Sun., April 30th after complications from Alzheimer's. He was 80 years old.Neal was a Southern Baptist minister and evangelist for thirty years teaching and preaching the Word of God and winning souls to Christ. Later in his life worked as a master electrician and manager of an oil pipeline company. Neal was born Aug. 17, 1943, in Lillie, Louisiana to Grady and Ruby Raborn. During elementary and middle school years his dad, Grady, worked for oil companies requiring travel over the years to different states. Neal, along with his brother Joe, moved to many schools around the continental US. After his parents opened Dairy King, the family settled down. Neal attended Sulphur High School in Maplewood, Louisiana. His love for baseball was apparent as he enjoyed pitching for his high school and summer league teams for four years. Neal set school records during his All-star career, which led to a baseball scholarship to Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. Neal was also invited to try out for the Houston Astros, but did not make the team as he had hurt his hip during spring training and was not able to perform as he wanted to. He joined the Navy in 1964, stationed in Providence, Rhode Island. After serving for four years, in 1968, Neal attended Southwestern Louisiana earning his Business Economics degree. Neal felt called by God into the ministry and attended New Orleans Theological Seminary graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1974. He also received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1979 at Luther Rice Seminary. Neal pastored several churches during his life beginning with the small mission church in Waggaman, Louisiana; First Baptist Church in Mandeville, Louisiana; Bethel Baptist Church in Huntsville Alabama; Park Place Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas; First Baptist Church in Eunice, Louisiana; Holly Grove Baptist Church in Wisner, Louisiana and First Baptist Church in Lake Providence, Louisiana. During his years as a pastor, Neal led many revivals as a guest evangelist in various churches. His passion was to preach the gospel so many would hear the Word and give their heart to Jesus Christ. The last years before retiring, he managed a couple of oil pipeline projects in several states. He also loved and had a passion for coaching High School baseball in his spare time. Neal is survived by his wife Vickie Rawls Raborn, daughter Vanessa Stahla and son-in-law Rex Stahla, son, Troy Raborn, Grandsons Conner Stahla, Colton Stahla and Cameron Stahla, Joshua Simons who was raised by Neal and his former wife Janice Arnold Raborn; also survived by his nephew Ronald Raborn, Doug Raborn, niece Barbara Alice Raborn Leithner, former wife Sarah Elizabeth Headington. He is preceded in death by his father, Grady Raborn; Mother, Ruby Raborn; younger sister, Vanessa Ann Raborn; older brother, Joe Raborn and nephew Freddie Raborn, as well as former wife Janice Raborn, his aunts, uncles and grandparents. Neal loved people, fishing and was an avid deer hunter. A gathering of family and friends will be at Dennard First National Funeral Home in Winnsboro, Louisiana 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m., Friday, May 5th. Following the visitation, a veterans graveside honor service will be held at Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, Louisiana at noon the same day, officiated by Neal's best friend, Dr. Donald Cotten from Albertville, Alabama. Pallbearers Troy Raborn, Rex Stahla,Conner Stahla, Colton Stahla, Cameron Stahla, Joshua Simons and Will Bowlin. Honorary pallbearers , Steven Johnson and Doug Raborn.The family welcomes flowers, but requests you consider donating to Gideons International for Bibles dedicated in Neal's name www.Gideons.org.Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com.
Visitation

Dennard First National Funeral Home

Northeast Louisiana Vetrans Cemetery