Roy Ray Deal, age 85, of Dale County, Alabama between Midland City and Echo, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025, at Flowers Hospital, surrounded by family members.
Roy was born on October 1, 1939, in Midland City, AL to the late Espy Deal and Lillie Foreman Deal. He graduated from Midland City High School in 1957, where he proudly played football and was a member of the FFA. He later attended Howard College (Samford University) in Birmingham, studying business administration. While in Birmingham, Roy met and married the love of his life, Joy Bullock. Married for 61 years, they built a life centered around faith, family and love.
In 1966, Roy returned to Midland City with his growing family. He worked for many years as a purchasing agent for DMI Furniture in Napier Field before joining Dunbarton Corporation, where he served as Quality Control Engineer until his retirement in 2007. In addition to his primary career, he worked tirelessly on his farm raising cattle and growing peanuts and hay.
Roy was a member of First Baptist Church of Headland and the Jack Bridges Sunday School class. He was a former Deacon and Sunday school teacher at Midland City Baptist Church.
Always known for his positive outlook and quick wit, Roy had a deep love for the simple things in life. He enjoyed fishing, cheering on Auburn sports and spending time outdoors on his farm riding his Gator and tractor. Above all, he was a devoted God-fearing man who cherished his family with all his heart.
Roy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joy Bullock Deal and his parents, Espy Deal and Lillie Foreman Deal.
He is survived by his daughter Rhonda Pate (Mark) of Midland City, AL; his son David Deal (Rita) of Nashville, TN; grandchildren Adam Harden (Heather) of Dothan, AL; Krysta Thompson (Thomas) of Dothan, AL; Avery Owens (Corey) of Headland, AL; and Nathan Deal (Virginia Parnell) of Grand Junction, CO. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Olivia Thompson, Graham Thompson, Addie-Reece Harden, Harper-Mae Harden and Ava Joy Owens.
Roy will be dearly missed by his family and his cherished friends, including special friends Edna Whitehead and the Windham family.
Funeral services will be held at Holman Headland Mortuary chapel on Sunday April 27, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Visitation will begin one hour prior to service time in the chapel. Officiating the service will be Dr. Cecil M. Sanders, Jr. and Brother Harvey Windham. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory.
In his memory, we celebrate a life well lived – marked by love, laughter, hard work and unwavering faith.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Echo Volunteer Fire and Rescue department.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
