Celester Paul Neeley

Born and raised in Robbins, Illinois, on January 28, 1943, Celester’s views on life were shaped by both his maternal and paternal grandfathers who owned and operated their own businesses with their wives. In 1962, he graduated from Community High School, and in 1964, married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia, who he met in 10th grade.

They started their family in Chicago while attending junior college; he, in data processing and she, in stenography, and later relocated with their 3 daughters to Indiana. Over the course of a decade, Celester and Cynthia owned and operated The Record Mart retail music and novelty stores, selling albums, 45’s, 8-tracks, and cassette tapes, along with Afro-centric books, jewelry, and greeting cards with 4 stores: 1 in Anderson and 3 in Indianapolis. Additionally, they owned the Midwest Distributing Company, a wholesale operation in Indianapolis that supplied merchandise to regional record stores.

During this time, they served as cultural and economic leaders in the community through involvement with the Urban League, the NAACP, and The Boys Club. On the side, Celester, aka “Pamoja,” was a DJ, and hosted a weekly cable TV show called “For My People.”

Battling a serious illness in the 80’s prompted Celester to re-evaluate his goals, which led to the record stores being sold. He then launched several entrepreneurial initiatives, and he and Cynthia attended a 3-month missionary training in Brazil, South America. Soon after, they were ordained as missionaries to Brazil and lived there for more than a decade. Over time, they were invited to minister across denominational lines in Nigeria, Russia, and throughout Europe. Recently, they published a book called “From Robbins to Rio,” which explores the first phase of their missionary work in Brazil.

Celester Paul Neeley transitioned from this life on Monday, June 2, 2025, in his sleep at his home in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife by his side. He was preceded in death by his father, Celester Paul Neely, Sr., mother, Ada (Mayberry) Neely, and stepmother Esthelina (Pierce) Neely.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Cynthia (Miller) Neeley; sisters, Marie (Baker) Elliot; Mary Lydia Rose (Marvin) Tucker; Nannette A. (Leodis T.-deceased) Sharpe; daughters, Cyndee Marie (Michael) Lemon; Paula Celeste (Lawrence) Neeley; Dara Nilaja (Anthony) Randolph;  grandchildren, Michael “M2” (Adriana) Lemon; Mekel (Obafemi) McKenzie; A. Philip Randolph, and a host of nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends across the United States, Brazil, and around the world.

L. C. May Funeral Services would like to express our deepest condolences to the Neeley Family.