Denzil "Denny" Neff

Denzil "Denny" Neff, Jr., age 73, passed away peacefully at his home in Lavaca, on February 9, 2025. Denny was born on March 8, 1951 in Denver, Colorado. He was a beloved son of the late Denzil "Ed" Neff, Sr. and Joanne Greenlee.

Denny Graduated from Hinkley High School and then joined the United States Army in 1968. He graduated from basic training in the top of his class and was promoted to Staff Sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Division in the Military Police of the US Army. He served in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, Camp Carroll in South Korea, and Wurzburg, Germany. During his time at Fort Sam Houston, he was assigned to police Fort Chaffee, in the summer of 1970 where he met Beverly Gipson at the local café in Central City where she worked. They quickly fell in love and the two were married on September 1, 1970, and enjoyed 54 years of making cherished memories together. 

Denny continued to serve his country until 1978, when he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. He received an honorable discharge from the Army. He spent a term as Mayor of Central City from 1979 to 1980. God called Denny to ministry in 1986. On July 21, 1987 he was licensed to the Gospel Ministry by Windsor Park Baptist Church and then ordained to the Gospel Ministry on September 10, 1989. The Lord put him to work immediately. Denny became the children's minister at Windsor Park Baptist Church for two years and began ministering in nursing homes all across Fort Smith. The Lord called Denny to serve as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Figure Five near Van Buren. Denny then became the pastor of the forty year-old mission church of First Baptist Van Buren called Eastern Heights and, to the Lord’s glory, grew it to the point of establishing it as a fully constituted church. Denny and Beverly left Eastern Heights to join the church planting mission field in Aurora, Colorado, where he started several new Southern Baptist churches; primarily through apartment ministries. Denny returned to Fort Smith to become the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church where he served until poor health forced him to retire. Denny and Beverly are charter members of First Southern Baptist Church in Central City and members of First Baptist Church, Lavaca, where Denny faithfully served a men’s Sunday School class under Donnie Green and Dane Douglas. 

Denny will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly (Gipson) Neff; a daughter, Tracy (Neff) Christina and husband Craig; a son, Cory Neff; three granddaughters, Victoria (Christina) Welpman and husband Garret, Abby Neff, Stevie Neff-Sharum; two grandsons, Garrett Christina, Elliott Neff-Sharum; a great-grandson, Samuel Welpman; a sister Lola Brin and husband Martin; a brother Pete Neff and wife Venus; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Denny is reunited in heaven with his parents, Denzil “Ed” Neff, Sr. and Joanne Greenlee.

There will be a memorial service on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Lavaca with Rev. Steven Smithson officiating. Military Honors and Committal will be held at 1:00 p.m at the Fort Smith National Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers are Dane Douglas Men's Fellowship Hall Class. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to First Baptist Church Lavaca's Wednesday night meal delivery Program.

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