Portrait of Donald McNeall. IMB Photo

Donald “Don” William McNeall, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Brazil, died Oct. 28, 2024, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He was 89.  

Don was born Feb. 15, 1935, in Keytesville, Missouri, to the late W.C. and Hazel Fletcher McNeall. He graduated from Keytesville High School and received the Associate of Arts from Southwest Baptist College (now Southwest Baptist University), Bolivar, Missouri; the Bachelor of Arts from William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri; and the Bachelor of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City.  

Don married Wanda Smith on June 3, 1955. He pastored churches in Arkansas and Missouri.  

While seeking missionary appointment, he wrote, “Up until this time I thought that everything was settled as far as my life’s work was concerned. But now I felt that God was leading me toward the mission field.” Don wrestled with the decision until he made it known to their church that he felt God leading them to the foreign mission field. He wrote that, “Wanda was in complete sympathy with this as it … lit the fire of a missionary call in her heart.”  

They enrolled in seminary and graduated in May of 1966. Don wrote, “I feel more certain all the time that no matter what happens and how hard it may be, I want to be where God wants me, and if I am, He will be with me. There is nothing more important in life than to have God’s abiding presence.” 

In 1966, the International Mission Board appointed Don and Wanda missionaries to Brazil, where they served as field evangelists. They served with IMB for 32 years. 

Don was preceded in death by Wanda, his wife of 52 years. 

He is survived by his children, Janice Johnson (Michael), Paul McNeall (Doyleen), and Brenda Greer; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

A funeral service was held Nov. 7 at Macedonia Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri, with burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Springfield. 

Donations in his memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity. 

Read an obituary here.