Samuel E. Neal

SPRINGFIELD-Samuel Earl Neal, also affectionately known as “Doc”, departed this life on August 13, 2012 at Wingate Healthcare of Springfield, MA. Earl was born in Louisburg, NC on March 19, 1933 to the late Fitzhugh and Beulah (nee Pearce) Neal. He attended the local schools in Louisburg, NC. Post high school, Earl joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country during the Korean War. Honorably discharged as an aircraft mechanic, in 1959 at Westover Air Force Base, Mr. Neal continued living in Springfield, MA where he met and married the love of his life, Hattie Jones, in 1962. After over thirty years of dedicated service to the City of Springfield, he retired in 1995 as a Supervisor for Environmental Engineering at Springfield Municipal Hospital. Earl was a resilient mentor, giving freely his wisdom, guidance, love and patience. His dynamic character will certainly be missed. He will be remembered by many as a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and faithful friend. Predeceased by his parents, Fitzhugh and Beulah Neal and two sisters, Louise Barnes and Odessa Jackson, he leaves his wife, Hattie Jones Neal of Springfield; daughters, Andea Neal of Stone Mountain, GA and Karla Neal Pierce of Lithonia, GA; brothers: Wiley Neal (Arline) and Willard Neal, Sr. of NC; sister: Pauline Bullock of NY and Marie Gresham (Raymond) of Springfield; grandchildren: D’Juan Neal and Jalen Pierce, great grandson, Jamahl Neal and godson, Darrell Byers; and Marsha Borders and Carl Neal who made their home with the Neal family. He also leaves to mourn his passing brothers-in-law: Albert Jackson, Robert (Joyce), Floyd (Dolores), Leroy Jones and Charles “Mack Adams; sisters-in-law: Vernella Roney, Macy Pride and Emma Buchanon, an abundance of nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Black College Tour, Attn: Ronn Johnson, 106 Wilbraham Rd., Springfield, MA 01109. The wake will convene on Monday August 20, 2012, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, located at 25 Mill St., Springfield, MA. The funeral services for Mr. Neal will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, located at1430 Carew St., Springfield, MA. There will be a final viewing at 11:00am with the funeral service beginning promptly at Noon. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. For full details visit www.nefcc.net.John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.