Dr. Spottswood Pryor Neale

Dr. Spottswood Pryor Neale of Valdese, NC passed away on March 18, 2020 at his residence. He was born on May 6, 1938 in Richmond, Virginia. He was the son of the late Dr. Richard C. Neale, Sr. and Eva Whitehead Neale. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, John Neale and James Neale, his sister, Diane Savig, and his sisters-in-law, Yvonne, wife of Dr. Richard Neale, Jr. and Emma, wife of John Neale. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret (Peggy) Heubeck Neale; children, David Neale, Dr. Christy Schenck and her husband Dr. Scott Schenck, and Jennifer Neale; grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel, Alex, Ashley, and Andrew Schenck; brothers, Dr. Richard C. Neale, Jr., Dr. Henry Neale and wife Margaret, Dr. Wirt Neale and wife Ginger; sisters, Beverly Johnson and husband Rev. Dr. Merwyn Johnson, Donna Kelly, and Vickie Peters and husband Zayne; Norman and Barbara Heubeck; and beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. At the age of 13, Spottswood boarded a train from his home in West Virginia to the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he received his high school degree. He entered Davidson College, from which he graduated in 3 years. He then attended the Medical College of West Virginia and completed his medical studies at the Medical College of Virginia. He graduated from medical school at the age of 21 and then completed 4 years of training in Pathology at Emory University in Atlanta and Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, NC. Spottswood practiced pathology in Camden, SC and later at Valdese General Hospital with his brother, Dr. Richard C. Neale, Jr. for 31 years. He dearly loved his family and his church, where he served as an Elder and Deacon and held many committee positions. Spottswood taught the adult Sunday school class for a number of years, and he especially enjoyed singing in the choir for the many years he was a member of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church. Spottswood was a member of the armed services as a flight surgeon in the USAF. He was stationed in Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas; Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC; and Eglin AFB in Eglin, FL. He served in Spain and Alaska in 1964 during one of the most devastating earthquakes in that state. Spottswood spent years attending and participating in his children's many activities, knowing that supporting his children during their formative years was an important part of being an involved parent. Knowing that, he also gave his employees that same opportunity whenever possible. He was a very caring and kind individual who treated each person as someone who mattered. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. He and his wife Peggy were very close and still in love with one another, and enjoying one another's company. They continued to share humor, which helped sustain them even through difficult times. He first introduced himself to Peggy as "Butch" and will forever be her beloved Butch. Because of the country's health concerns, a memorial service will be held at a later time at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church. A graveside service will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2:00, with military honors provided by the United States Air Force. An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com. Heritage Funeral Service of Valdese is serving the Neale family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the choir fund at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, Burke Hospice (which provided invaluable services to the family), or any charity of choice.