Zeke Neal

June 1, 2021

Mr. Thomas Claude “Zeke” Neal, age 84, passed away Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at Atrium Health Care - Main. The family will receive friends any day between now and Tuesday, June 8th from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the home, 116 East Summersby Street in Fort Mill. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at First Baptist Church Chapel in Fort Mill. Born in Forest City, N.C., Zeke was a son of the late Jack D. Neal, Sr. and Grace McMahan Neal. He received his bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University (1959) and his master’s degree from Winthrop University (1977). Zeke coached football for 40 years, basketball for 12 years and track for 20 years. He enjoyed playing golf and reading. Surviving is his wife, Betty Jean Gardner Neal; his children, Susan Neal Walker (Bill) of Fort Mill, the Rev. Dr. David DiRaddo (Katerina) of Pennsylvania, Dr. Douglas DiRaddo (Nancy) of Delaware and Donald DiRaddo of Perry Hall, Maryland; his brother, John Neal (Pat) of Rock Hill; his sister, Nancy Neal Welborn (David) of Spartanburg; seven grandchildren, Asher Walker, Anna Walker, Kyle (Shannon), Troy, Michael, Andrew (Taylor) and Kelsey DiRaddo; and three great-grandchildren, Miles, Mikayla and Avery DiRaddo. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine Williams Neal (1998). Donations in Zeke’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 121 Monroe White Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715.