Edward (Ed/Carl) Clifton Neal was born on May 10, 1931, to Robert C Neal, Sr and Nellie Haney Cooper in Washington D.C. His formative years were spent with his 3 brothers (Robert, James, and Ralph) and 1 sister (Dorothea) on 17th St N.W.in Washington, D.C. His summers were spent in “the country” (Richmond Virgina) with his brothers, his Uncle Lawrence and Cousin Florence play working on his grandmother’s chicken farm.
His school days were shaped by his friendships with Louis Ivy, John Hamilton, Benjamin Burton and Harry Leotus Burton aka: “the Noble Knights” They enjoyed learning how to ask girls to dance (ably taught by their favorite math teacher Mrs. Wells at Francis Middle School) and grabbing a chocolate milk at High’s on their walks home from school. They followed each other to Dunbar High School and added Charles R. Drew, Jr and Bernice Hooks and Tazewell Banks to their crew.Carl was the “grown up” of the group, obtaining a job before the rest and having access to a car;” The Green Hornet” earlier than the rest. He worked in Shumate’s Fish Market where he earned his “Masters” in fish preparation and frying that has been enjoyed by his family and friends for a lifetime.
He graduated from Dunbar High School in 1949. He attended Howard University, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration on June 4, 1954. During his time at Howard University, he participated in ROTC and was commissioned into the US Army Reserves in June of 1953. He served in the US Army Reserves in various capacities including Platoon leader, Foreign Service 1stLieutenant in Germany and Unit Commander. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in May of 1968.
After completing active duty and a brief stent as a freezer salesman, his first civilian job was as a Tax Investigator for the Internal Revenue Service. He left the IRS for the Small Business Administration where he became a champion for minority small business development. His exceptional insight led him to the University of Southern California where he participated in a certificate program in Public Management 1979. He returned to the SBA and used his insight and knowledge to rise to the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development.
He retired from the federal government after 34 years of service in 1988. He moved to Nashville to join his wife in her career pursuits. A lifelong lover of playing cards, Carl joined the YMCA and started a senior bridge program where he was recently honored for his 15 years of program leadership.
Although Ed Carl had an impressive professional career, his greatest accomplishments were clearly as a family man. He married his wife of 67 years, Annie Wynn on December 18, 1955 in Virginia. Their union bore two children, Edward C. Neal, Jr., and Eldred C. Neal and two grandchildren, Ricco Neal and Elliot Neal. He has been a devoted family patriarch to 14 nieces and nephews. By close family he was known as “Carl,” “Pop,” “Uncle Carl” or “Pudgy.” He lived out his obsession with firecrackers at the 4th of July family crab feasts. He perfected his Santa Clause role each Christmas Day at holiday family dinners. He passed down the family egg- nogg recipe and taught the next generation his fish frying skills. When he wanted to relax you could find him at the horse racing track or in Atlantic City.
Ed Carl left this earth to be with our lord peacefully on November 3, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents (Robert and Nellie), his brothers (Robert Jr, and James) his sister (Dorothea Pinkney), his son (Edward), and grandson (Ricco).
Ed Carl is survived by his wife, Annie, his son, Eldred, his grandson, Elliot, his brother, Ralph (Thirza) and a host of devoted nieces and nephews.
He will be remembered by the community as a door opener for minorities seeking to advance their business knowledge and acumen.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Florence Neal Cooper Smith Professorship for Sickle Cell Research at Virginia Commonwealth University1228 East Broad Street Box 980234 Richmond, VA 23298 (info@mcvfoundation.org )
Please keep the Neal family in your thoughts and prayers. Complete service arrangements will be announced soon.
