Neal Sumner

Joseph Neal Sumner, 79, was born July 22, 1943, and passed away at home with his wife by his side on Feb. 17, 2023.

He retired after 29 years as a shop technician at Thomaston Mills and 22 years as director of engineers at Newton Covington Medical Center.

He was a sharpshooter who won many clay shoots, even after losing an eye due to an on-the-job injury. He loved to birdwatch and could fix or build just about anything. He loved to tell stories and make people laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Augustus Sumner and Doris Arlene Tidwell Sumner; and his brother, Roger (Nancy) Sumner.

He is survived by his wife, Becky Sumner; his son, Kenneth Lamar Sumner (Komnai); his daughter, Lisa Diane Price (Mark); his brother, Robert O'Dell Sumner (Dora); his grandchildren, Mya, Jennifer Reed, and Michael Lee; great-grandchildren, Alexus, Shyanne, Dakota, and Alyssa, his stepchildren, Samuel (Jolane) Weeks, Daniel Weeks (Mercedes), Nathaniel Weeks (Kristy), and Rachel McDaniel (Matthew); step-grandchildren, Gabriella and Isabella Weeks, Samantha, Rebecca and Thomas Weeks, and Lola and Lily McDaniel; and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m., in the chapel of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

Moody-Daniel Funeral Home in Zebulon is assisting the family with arrangements.