Harry E. Neal

Harry E. Neal, 77, of Oakdale Drive, Franklin, passed away Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006, at HighlandsCashiers Hospital. He was born in Clay County, the son of the late Elmer Neal and Delza Anderson Crawford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Bobbie Bracken Neal, who died in 1984, and his stepfather, Earl Crawford. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, where he served as a mortician. He was a member of Franklin VFW Post # 7339 and American Legion Post #108 and a member of Franklin First Baptist Church. He was also a member of Junaluska Masonic Lodge #145, Franklin Lions Club and Smoky Mountain Shriners.

Mr. Neal served on the board of directors for Macon Bank. He was a very prominent businessman for many years in the town of Franklin and Highlands. In 1969, he provided the town of Highlands with their own funeral chapel. Mr. Neal was a graduate of Gupton-Jones Mortuary College of Nashville, Tenn., and a licensed embalmer and funeral director. He owned and operated Bryant Funeral Home for 42 years, retiring in 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha Wiggins Neal; daughter, Lisa Hall and her husband, Brian of Clover, S.C.; his son, Lynn Neal of Unidilla, Ga.; stepdaughter, Sharon Ford and her husband, Kevin of Franklin and stepson, Ralph E. Morgan Jr. and his wife, Tiffany of Lexington, Ky.; sister, Joan Baldwin and her husband, Bob; four grandchildren, Martin Brian Hall IV, Christopher Neal Hall, Caroline Elizabeth Hall and Ian A. Neal; two stepgrandsons and two stepgranddaughters. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Bryant Funeral Home with the Revs. Jim Dusek and James Wiggins officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. The grandchildren and the employees of Bryant Funeral Home will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Bryant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.