Dr. Neal Hurt

Tupelo—Dr. Robert Neal Hurt passed away late Friday evening, March 7, 2025 in the comfort of his home. He was born on June 14, 1928, in Louisville, Mississippi to Benjamin Clinton Hurt and Amanda Pearl Cockrell Hurt. From the time he was born, he was surrounded by a family with strong Christian beliefs; and that background was evident throughout his life. He graduated from Louisville High School, attended Mississippi State for four years, earning a degree in chemistry, and having become interested in medicine, transferred to the two year medical school at Ole Miss. At that time Mississippi had only one medical school which was only the two year program. Fortunately, after Ole Miss he was accepted as a medical student at Baylor University’s College of Medicine in Houston, Texas where he also completed his internship.

During the time he was doing summer work at the Tupelo Hospital, he met Mary Troy Morgan while attending a church service at Calvary Baptist Church. Brother Bill Day, pastor, had been Neal’s pastor in Louisville for many years before coming pastor of Calvary in Tupelo. Neal and Mary Troy were married on August 24, 1952, and lived in Houston, Texas for his last year in school and internship.

Following medical school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. The military was encouraging medical students to give two years of military service to our country which he proudly did. When given the choice of being stationed in Greenland or Homestead, Florida, he chose Homestead.

Through an unusual series of events, one day he received a letter inviting him to come to Indianola with the possibility of joining a family medical group. While others couldn’t believe it, Neal went to Indianola, liked the situation, and settled down for the next forty-seven years. He was thoroughly happy in serving the town of Indianola as a family doctor. During his first years there, the local five or six doctors made house calls and also served as emergency room doctors for the South Sunflower County Hospital. Always busy, Neal was honored to be a member of Indianola’s Rotary Club.

Retiring from active practice in 1995, Neal and Mary Troy remained in Indianola until 2003 when they finally decided to move to Tupelo to be close to Susan and her family. During their years in Indianola they enjoyed the fellowship of many good friends and being members of First Baptist Church. Dr. Hurt served many years as a deacon there, and one year before moving to Tupelo, he was appointed to a lifetime position as one of three trustees for the church.

Neal’s favorite pastime was reading, and he very much enjoyed good conversations with his friends and patients. He also continued his pursuit of the study of medicine. He and Mary-Troy were privileged to make several wonderful trips to Europe, Canada, and Mexico, always marveling over the creation of our Lord.

Dr. Hurt was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ather Hurt (Sue), Ben Hurt (Mable), Jim Hurt (Delle), and Hubert Hurt; and brother-in-law, Darnell Martin.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Troy; daughters, Melanie Cowlishaw (Patrick) and Susan Johnson (John); and son, Robert Neal Hurt, Jr.; six grandchildren, Morgan Johnson (Kelly), Jake Johnson (Katy), Dr. Troy Johnson, Hayley Cowlishaw, Dr. Meredith Drake (Colin), and Robert Cowlishaw (Dr. Abby); six great-grandchildren; his sister, Jeanine Martin, and sister-in-law, Ebie Hurt.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. until service time Monday, March 24, 2025 at Pegues, Tupelo. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues with Dr. Bill Hurt and Dr. John Boler officiating. Burial will follow at Tupelo Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be members of his family. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday School Class at Calvary Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 1008, Tupelo MS 38802; or a favorite charity.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com