Nelle Chandler Neal

Mrs. Nelle Chandler Neal, 86, of Wilmington, and formerly of Chapel Hill and Burlington, died August 27, 2017.

A native of Alamance County, she was the wife of the late Robert Stuart Neal, Jr. and the daughter of Jennings Ingram Chandler and Verna Mae Hadley Chandler, both deceased. She was a graduate of Women’s College (UNCG) with a degree in education. Nelle’s family owned and operated a cafeteria in downtown Chapel Hill, where she worked during the summer and  met her husband.

Nelle and Bob together owned a popular shoe store in Chapel Hill for many years; Neal’s Shoes and Potpourri. Nelle was an active member of the Chapel Hill Country Club, where she won many golf tournaments, including the Club Championship. Nelle really enjoyed playing golf with all of her sisters, and she also skillfully made six hole-in-ones in her golfing days.

Nelle is survived by her three children, Kim Neal Karns and husband William of Wilmington, Robert Stuart Neal, III and wife Virginia of Pittsboro, and Amy Neal Rosenblatt and husband Michael of Ridgefield, CT; nine grandchildren, Christopher, Molly, Hannah, and Amy Jane Karns, Emma, Mills, and Zachary Rosenblatt, and Lilly and Robert Neal; two great grandchildren, Wesley and Ella Karns; two sisters, Barbara Sink of Burlington, and Brenda Matherly and husband Johnny of Burlington; sister-in-law Irene Chandler of Burlington; and brother-in-law, Joe Webb of Burlington.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Doris Wicker, Flo Faust, and Jane Webb; two brothers, John Chandler and Jennings Chandler, Jr.; granddaughter, Emily Karns; and great-granddaughter, Marlie Karns.

A funeral service will be held at 3pm on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Long’s Chapel Christian Church with Pastor R.J. Zupancich officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 28105, or to Support@lotiderun.org.

Rich and Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington is assisting the family.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com.

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