Mr. James “Jim” Newton Neel, 85, of Weaver Road died Saturday, June 9, 2012 at his residence after an extended illness. He was a native of Bessemer and a former resident of Mobile and West Palm Beach, Fla.,, before moving to Brewton. He was a faithful member of Cedar Hill First Baptist Church, a U.S. Navy veteran having served in the Pacific Theater during WWII, and was a retired employee of the State of Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lett Grace Weaver Neel of Brewton; two brothers, Lonard E. (Arvie) Neel of Mandarin, Fla.; Charles Eugene (Ginger) Neel of Tallasee, Tenn.; one sister, Elizabeth Ekiss of Fort Myers, Fla.; three sisters-in-law, Joe Neel of Evansville, Ind.; Ila Weaver of Brewton and Betty Klince of Cleveland, Tenn.; a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation was held Tuesday, June 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at  Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 13 at 10 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral home with the Rev. Adam Armstrong officiating. Burial will follow in the May Creek Cemetery with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Joe Udelhoven, Joe Billingsley, Bobby Frazier, Ralph Burnham, Henry Cooks, Steve Godwin and Aquilla Simmons.