Mr. Mark H. Neill January 27, 1955 – March 31, 2015 　 Mr. Mark H. Neill, age 60, of Griffin, GA, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Spalding Regional Hospital. Mark Henry Neill was born on January 27, 1955 in Griffin, GA, to Henry and Carolyn Neill. He grew up with his “Sis” Jane. They were blessed to grow up in a family filled with love and faith. That special love is something that Mark and Jane always carried in their hearts. To this day, she would tell you that he was the “best brother in the world.” Mark was a mischievous little fellow and would often find himself in trouble. However, you could not find anyone with a bigger heart. That heart was always filled with love for his family and for his God. Mark played football for Griffin High School and was a lifelong “Griffin Bear.” His senior year, he was awarded the Fellowship of Christian Athletes award, which meant so much to his parents. It was at Griffin High that he met the love of his life, Sherry Summers. They married on June 2, 1972, the day after Mark’s graduation. Three years later, God blessed them with a feisty little red head, Shelly. It did not take very long to have her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Thirteen months later, they were blessed again with Andrea. These two babies were the center of Mark’s world. He was proud of them and everything they accomplished. Although the girls were great, nothing compared to being a “Granddonnie”. Cara, Savannah and Jackson brightened Mark’s world. They brought him so much happiness. You could see his face light up every time he talked about them. Mark had an amazing sense of humor. He loved a good joke and enjoyed making people laugh. Many people’s fondest memories of Mark are of his practical jokes. The laugh that often followed those jokes is something that will be carried in the hearts of his family and friends forever. Mark worked for Dundee Mills (Springs) for 29 years. While still at Springs, Mark returned to school at Southern Crescent and was so proud of himself for maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout the entire program. After Springs, Mark became employed by American Woodmark, where he remained until his health forced him to retire. Although his health continued to decline, his spirit never did. He loved to cook and to share recipes with others. He was always finding new dishes and sweets for Shelly to fix. His love for life continued until his very last minute. Most people did not even realize that he was ill. He always put on a smile and pressed forward. Through all of his obstacles, Mark’s one constant was his sweetheart, Sherry. She was so much more than his wife and took such great care of him. He told her just this week that she was the “greatest thing that had ever happened to him.” Her actions could only be described as “unconditional love”. Tuesday afternoon, March 31, 2015, Mark finished his journey here on earth. Now, he can walk with Jesus without struggling; dine at God’s table without worrying about his blood sugar; and when he saw his Mama and Daddy, he could hug them tight without experiencing any numbness. He will missed terribly, but there is hope because “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,” and there is joy because he will be seen again. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Carolyn Neill; grandparents, Jonie and Leila Neill, and Leon and Mattie Stinchcomb. He is survived by his loving wife, Sherry Summers Neill; daughters and sons-in-law, Shelly and Jason Allen, and Andrea and Chris Benson; grandchildren Cara Allen, and Shelby, Savannah and Jackson Benson; sister and brother-in-law Jane and Edward Reeves; father and mother-in-law Mark and Minnie Summers; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Darlena and Tony Lord and family, and Lynn and Barbara Summers; nieces Chris Roberts, Tammy Jordan, Patty Hamm, Melissa Reeves and Jalyn Reeves; and nephews Neill and Jamie Jordan and Tyler and Taylor Hamm.