John J. "Jay" Deal, 90, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at his home.

A native of Macon County, he was the born September 28, 1920 to the late John B. Deal and Effie Henry Deal. In his younger years, he worked for Zickgraf Lumber Company and retired from Verizon. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 42 years, Reba Deal; four sisters, Vonnie Gregg, Dorothy Dalrymple, Nellie Penland and Nina Sutton and two brothers, Astor Deal and William "Bill" Deal.

He is survived by a step-daughter, Gladys McDowell (Charlie) of Highlands; a step-son, Morris Vinson (Eula) of Pickens, SC; a sister, Mae D. Kaufman of Asheville; several nieces, nephews and cousins and four step-grandchildren.

He was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church, had good and special friends in the community and appreciated their friendship. He loved to fish, gardening, sports and taking trips to the beach for seafood.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 17, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Bud Haire and Rev. Ronnie Branson will officiate. Burial follow in the Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are John Ramey, Mark G. Parrish, Mark Shannon Parrish, Marshall Higdon, Stephen Baldwin and James Wiggins.

Memorials may be made to Holly Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, principal only, C/O Nancy Seagle or Holly Springs Community Development Club, C/O Louise Henry.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.