Joseph N. Neel III
Macon, GA- Joseph Norris Neel III, 86, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, March 17 at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Kinser officiating. Burial is private at Riverside Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Wednesday, March 16 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Neel House, (Federated Garden Club), 730 College Street, Macon 31201.
Joe was born on December 4, 1929, the son of the late Evelyn Juhan Neel and Roland Hall Neel. A lifelong resident of Macon, he attended and graduated from Alexander II in 1943 and Lanier High School in 1948. He attended Davidson College and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1952, where he was a member of the SAE Fraternity.
Joe served during the Korean War as a USAF pilot, flying KB 29s in the early days of midair refueling in the Strategic Air Command. After serving in the Air Force, Joe joined Joseph N. Neel Co., a family clothing business started in Macon in 1886, by his name sake grandfather. While president of Neel's, Joe founded the Menswear Retailers of Georgia and got the company in the Guinness Book of World Records, due to Neel's daily advertisement in the Macon Telegraph for 70 years.
Joe was a past Deacon of First Presbyterian Church, Rotarian, member of Idle Hour Country Club, Vice President of the menswear Retailers of America, various Civic and Help agencies, the Georgia Save Sunday Association (Lord's Day Alliance), past Commander of Joseph N. Neel Jr. American Legion Post 3, Charter Member starter of Northminster Presbyterian Church, a Chamber of Commerce Board Member, President of Downtown Council, and a member of Young Presidents Organization.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Butler Neel. Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Marie Tillman Neel, Patricia Bell Walters, Roland H. Neel (Kay), Joseph N. Neel, IV (Susie), Joseph Neel Bell (Vicky); grandchildren, Roland Hall Neel, III, Kaitlyn Marie Neel, Joseph Norris Neel, V, Reid Key Neel, Kellen Walters, McKenna Walters; and special friend, Joann Woodward.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.
Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.

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Published by The Telegraph on Mar. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Neel

26 Entries

Deidre Bridges

March 19, 2016

We are very sorry for your loss and are keeping you all in our prayers. Deidre Bragg Bridges

March 18, 2016

Joe was a good man and a christian. Our family new Joe thru the years at Neel's.(a long time) and at First Presbyterian Church. We send love to each of you.
Betty and Ernest McWilliams and family.

Fay, Lamar, Mike and Harriet Hinson

March 17, 2016

Sad news. Joe, Bob Clark, Manly McWilliams and my Dad Lamar Hinson enjoyed a lifetime of friendship. Believe they were all Presbyterians as this foursome's starting point was Davidson College. Sharp guys all, who could turn most anything into fun and adventure. As we are all SAEs, Dad is there to welcome Joe to Chapter Eternal but know he will want to see Jesus first. Phi Alpha Brother Joe Neel. You made a difference and you will be missed.

March 17, 2016

My dad also is in the hospital but loved JOE NEEL...He has great memories of the group in college and after....even into their 80's !! My dad referred to Joe as JO JO...and just two weeks ago those friends of 50 + years talked on the phone.
Macon is a special place with great memories for those guys. We have great pictures of their fun times.
Our prayers are with your family...your dad was loved by our dad and so many others...Tricia McWilliams for Manly McWilliams

LTC (ret.) Bob Koester

March 16, 2016

My brother and I worked at Neel's in the 70's in men's shoes. Mr. Neel was a great role model for young men growing up in Macon. I remember when Mr. Neel took the two of us duck hunting out in Crawford county and we had a blast. I guess I was in College at Mercer and my brother was in high school. When I went into the Army, I would come home on leave and made it a point to visit Neel's until the store closed. My condolences to the family.

Bob Kimsey

March 16, 2016

Love you Joe. You always made me laugh. Always loved running with you and hunting with you a time or two.

I know you are with your maker and hope you will be at the gate when it's my time. Will miss you til then.

Bob Kimsey

Carlysle Sullivan

March 16, 2016

Joe was like my twin brother and I hope to be from here in Albany to the church buy 11
Carlysle Sullivan

March 16, 2016

I have just heard about the loss of Joe Neel, no doubt he will be greatly missed since he was such a lovable and charming man. I first met him in 2012 when he came to Macon, France,with the American delegation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the twinning between our two cities. Afterwards I had the pleasure to see him again whenever I visited Macon, Ga. Last time it was in April 2014 at the Back Burner's where we had been invited by Mayor Reichert.On that day Joe was proudly sporting the little French flag I gave him on a previous occasion. Please accept my condolences.
Francois SAUZET
President of the Twinning Committee
338 rue des Points Cardinaux
71000 Macon France

Peggy Wheeler

March 16, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. Your family are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Terri Ryle-Bridges

March 16, 2016

I have lived here in Macon all of my 62 years. My Daddy, Milton Ryle, was born and raised here in Macon. And, yes, Daddy was a "frequent flyer" at Jos N Neels. Every change of season - 2 suits, dress shirts, ties, casual shirts, 2 pair of very long & narrow dress shoes and a belt or two. I will never forget this as long as I continue to live. I am certain I met Mr. Neel through going down to pick up Daddy's new purchases. Always I felt special to go into "the store" as a little girl. And somehow always made it upstairs with Mama, Anita Ryle, to the ladies department. Those were certainly years to be remembered by all. Mr. Neel was obviously an iconic, very well-respected man in this community and will, I'm certain, be missed by all those who knew, appreciated & loved him. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones.

March 16, 2016

I am sorry for your family's loss.
Laurie Tharpe
(Goodwill Industries)

March 16, 2016

So sorry to hear of the loss of Joe. Always looked forward to seeing Joe at family gatherings.
Julia Neel Frew Cartersville, Georgia

Lea Capers

March 16, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

March 16, 2016

FAMILY OF JOSEPH NEEL III ---
A short note to express our sincere sympathy over the passing of your beloved family member. As a resident of Macon since 1970, we had the pleasure of knowing Joe as a well respected downtown merchant, avid supporter of many worthwhile community projects, and fellow member of the 'Wellness Center'...We always enjoyed our conversations around the swimming pool and were amazed at his swimming abilities. More importantly, Joe always had the ability to make one feel very 'comfortable' ---he definitely made the world a better place and will be greatly missed!
Sincerely,
Charlie & Linda Cloaninger
1439 Old Forsyth Rd.
Macon, GA 1210

Dan Bullard

March 16, 2016

Mr. Neel was always friendly and always greeted you with a smile. I will miss him sitting near the front pew at First Presbyterian Church every Sunday. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

March 16, 2016

The highlight of my teenage years growing up in Eastman was going to Macon and hanging out on Cherry St and always visiting Jos Neel's. That is where I learned how to dress and enjoy fine men's clothing. Everything about that store and those who owned and operated it were always a class act. We are very sorry for your loss but thanks for many great memories! John Reddock, Eastman, Ga.

Kiesha Wilder

March 16, 2016

Sorry for the loss of Mr.Neel.My grandmother use to work at the Store here in Macon.

Tracy Mullis

March 16, 2016

My thoughts and prayers with the family. During this time from Tracy d Mullis American legion post 3

March 16, 2016

Marie and the entire Neel family. I'm so sorry for your loss. While his presents here is gone, your memories of him will never go away!

Lane Williams

March 16, 2016

The Lane Williams of Macon, Evans, and Fayetteville, express our condolences to the family of, another of Macon's finest ... and , yet, another of America's 'Greatest Generation.' He has served all of us well on this earth, and has earned His Greatest Reward at the Right Hand of the Creator.' May God Speed His Mercy to the Neel family.

Kathy & Tom Branch

March 16, 2016

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of a life well lived. We knew Joe through his friend, Joann. May God give you all peace and comfort during this time. God Bless!!
Kathy & Tom, Mt Zion UMC. Smarr, GA.

Cloyd Hall Jr.

March 16, 2016

Roland, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Donald Rhodes

March 16, 2016

Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family during this time of loss.

Donald and Theresa Rhodes

March 16, 2016

Hello All,
My Family & I are very saddened to hear of his passing.Our whole Family loved shopping with them & always receiving the "Special "Touch"they gave us & the
fun we always shared with them. I;m sure "Mr.Joe"is keeping all above Royally entertained,as only he could do! Take care,Love you all!!
Sincerely,
Hazel Mullis Giddens

Bene' Lance

March 16, 2016

I am sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man and taught me a lot about the clothing business and business in general. These were life lessons. May GOD bless each one of you during these days of sorrow.

Cab Baldwin

March 16, 2016

Josh, Roland, and family:

I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing, but I feel certain he is regaling Heaven with his stories and is still the life of the party.

A great man, and he provided me with memories that I will always cherish.

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