Monticello — It's been said over the years that a lot of people wouldn't believe that

something happened in Monticello unless they heard it from local broadcaster

Eddie Neal. For 47 years, people tuned in to WFLW early every morning to

hear the local news broadcast by Neal's distinctive voice.

Neal, 84, passed away on Sunday, October 18 at the home of his son,

Gary. He had retired from broadcasting earlier this year, after becoming

ill.

"Eddie Neal is an icon in this community, a truly one-of-a-kind person,"

stated Stephen Staples, owner of local radio stations WFLW and WKYM. "He

would help anybody who asked him. I have never seen a more caring person for

his fellow man."

It was Staples' grandfather, Fred Staples, who hired Neal as an on-air

personality back in July 1962. Neal worked for three generations of the

Staples' family, before he retired on July 29, 2009.

"I can't remember him ever being late for work in almost 50 years," said

Staples.

Neal was a minister for 60 years and was founding pastor of the Albany

Full Gospel Apostolic Church. In an article, written about Neal in the 1992

book "Monti-cello," Neal is described as a "true servant." In the article,

he talked about the missionary work that he loved to do, including visits to

hospitals and shut-ins.

"The Bible never mentions that you need to give money. It says in what

way can you serve the Lord," Neal told writer Tim Corn, who penned the

article.

Neal performed countless funerals and weddings over the years, and

Staples said he even helped a few couples tie the knot in the lobby of the

radio station‹while he was on the air.

While many in the radio business seek the spotlight, Neal did not. He

did not want to be praised for the things he did. Instead, he went about his

business quietly each day.

Neal is survived by a daughter, Brenda Stewart, and two sons, Larry and

Garry Neal. He was preceded in death his wife, Effie Denney Neal.

Services for Neal were held on Tuesday, October 20 at the Albany Full

Gospel Apostolic Church. Burial was in the Taylors Grove Cemetery. In lieu

of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Gideons. Full

obituary information for Neal is included in this edition of The Outlook.