Neal Sumner

Joseph Neal Sumner, 79, was born July 22, 1943, and passed away at home with his wife by his side on February 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 watch birds 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 Sumner, 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) and 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 on Thursday, February 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.