Obituary for Paul Lewis NEELY
Celebration of Life for
Paul Lewis Neely
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Brother Paul Lewis Neely was born April 12, 1945, to the late Rufus and Lizzie Mae Long Neely in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the youngest of three children. His sister Ruth and brother Charles preceded him in death. Paul passed away on Thursday, January 9 from a heart attack after an extended illness.
Brother Neely attended W.H. Crogman Elementary School and George Washington Carver High School in Atlanta, where he studied Radio and TV and Mechanical Drafting. He was a graduate of Atlanta Metropolitan College.
Paul joined the Islamic faith in 1970 and was committed to its teachings. He remained strong in his faith in God.
It is said that God gives each of us talents to nurture and develop over our lives. Paul was a multi-talented man. He cultivated his talents into skills and abilities through strength of character, respect, hard work, and he strived toward perfection in whatever he did. Though his demeanor was quiet and thoughtful, he accomplished much.
Paul’s father taught him carpentry skills and from his mother, an expert seamstress, he learned her skills in professional sewing and tailoring. Throughout his life, he designed and tailored suits, jumpsuits, pants and shirts for family and friends. He made the reception dress for his bride, a prom dress for Maryum and was working on creating a new shirt pattern at the time of his passing. He was meticulous in his dress – he even had to have a crease in his jeans to do yardwork.
Paul worked as a machinist for many years. He was recruited right out of high school to work with Lockheed Martin, then with The Atlantic Steel Company. Later, Paul was trained as an HVAC technician in computer repair. He saved us lots of headaches and money with his computer skills.
He was a gentle man and a scholar. He read and studied incessantly. His interests included politics, national as well as world politics. Paul's favorite TV shows were documentaries on all kinds of history.
Music and technology: At age 44, Paul began piano lessons, purchased a piano, and mastered several pieces that he played for us, including Moonlight Sonata. As the world transitioned from vinyl records and to the Internet, he taught himself and others how to navigate. His jazz vinyls, that included most of the giants, made the transition. However, the cell phone was not his favorite…he never carried one regularly.
Culinary: Talk about perfecting a recipe! Paul spent time in the kitchen and studied recipes, and made samples and special dishes, to which we all looked forward to eating. Some family favorites included brownies, pound cakes, macaroni and cheese. He was constantly seeking ways to make things better.
Entrepreneur: Along with his wife, Paul was a long-term real estate investor and property manager.
Paul had an eye for beauty. He studied ways to grow and maintain roses. He painstakingly tilled the soil and provided the healthy environment the roses needed to grow. His desire was to plant roses under Paulette’s home office window. He was a very patient man.
Nurturing family. Near the end of Paul’s life, we saw the results of how he lived and loved his family – and their love for him. His wife, daughters, grands were all present for him to lean on. Skyla, one of the great grands said, “I liked it best when granddaddy came to see us at our school activities”. Paul and his 95 year old Mother-in-Love had a very special relationship and he assisted in caring for her.
Brother Paul leaves to cherish his memories, his beloved wife of almost 45 years, Paulette McCray Neely; two loving daughters, Tara T. Neely and Maryum Neely-Snapp and step-children, Natasha Allen, Sondia Hollingsworth, and Yanous Barner; three grandchildren, Rashad L. Neely, Zakiyyah I. Haadee, and Austin J. Neely; seven great grandchildren, Zaria S. Ponder, Saniyah S. Smith, Skyla K. Roberts, Kani R. Ponder, Makhi R. Burks, Bentley C. Roberts, Ryder K. Haadee; sisters-in-love, Ceceila W. Neely (Charles - deceased), Jacqueline Konan, Gail G. McCray, and Avis Revear (Larry - deceased); Brother-in-love Richard Hogan (Anita - deceased); his Mother-in-love, Evelyn D. McCray; a very special cousin(who is like a sister), Sarah Frazier; his nieces: Sherrine N. Beasley (Kenneth), Margaret Ramey, Geneita L. Revear, and Alanna Y. Revear; nephews, Allen Cain, Anthony Neely, Xavier Ramey, Roderick Wyatt, Moieh E. Konan (Tricia), Richard T. Hogan, II (Anjenetta), Timothy J. Hogan (Qualen), and Jonathan M. Hogan (Treyada). He has a great number of grand-nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who love him.
We are each so blessed to have Paul as a part of us. When someone close to us dies, they don't leave us feeling empty; instead, they leave us with their love. This love continues to guide us, heal us, and remind us that they are still with us in spirit, even though they are physically gone. It emphasizes the lasting impact of a person's love on those they leave behind.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in Paul’s memory to: the American Heart Association – Georgia Affiliate, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692
To plant a tree in memory of Paul Lewis NEELY, visit the Tribute Store.
Loading...
