Clarence "Bay" Neal

Clarence was born on November 30, 1935, in Bessemer, Alabama. His parents Lillian (Wells/Bobo) Neal and Abb Neal preceded him in death. He attended school in Youngstown, Ohio. Clarence confessed to Christ at an early age. Over the past two decades he was an active and dedicated member of Tanner Chapel AME Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to moving to Arizona in 1998, Clarence worked in several capacities for Sears Roebuck and Company.

On September 4, 1982, Clarence married Geralyn Yvonne (McKanders) Neal. They were blessed with over 44 years of marriage, spending the past 27 years enjoying retirement in Arizona.

Clarence (Neal) never met a stranger. Warm, outgoing, and genuinely friendly, he was often the life of the party, bringing laughter, conversation, and joy wherever he went. Always impeccably dressed, Neal carried himself with a timeless sense of style and grace. Beneath his fun-loving spirit was a deeply kind and generous heart. He was quick to lend a helping hand, offer encouragement, or support a friend in need. Worship and fellowship at his church brought him great meaning and purpose. Neal's vibrant personality, compassionate nature, and devotion to God touched many lives and will be remembered with love by all who knew him.

Clarence is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leo Bobo, Albert Neal and Charlie Neal, sisters Arlillian Bobo, Annie Kate Bobo Owens, Hazel Bobo Lacey, Romona Bobo Henderson, and Martha Virginia Chapell.

Precious and everlasting memories will live in the hearts of those who knew and loved Clarence as a son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Celebrating his homegoing with Geralyn are his sister Mary Bullock of Shaker Heights, Ohio, his beloved children from a prior marriage Ryan C. Neal, MD (wife Beth) of Houston, Texas, Angela Neal Richard, JD (husband Herman) of Houston, Texas, his beloved grandchildren Jarrett Taylor Neal Richard, Brandi N. Neal, Ryan (Chris) Neal, Jr. and Mallory N. Neal, Great-Grandchildren Jayden Brown-Neal and Jaxson Brown-Neal, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends, and his Brother-In-Law Kenneth McKanders (wife Carolyn) of Goodyear, Arizona.

The family is grateful for your prayers, love and messages of sympathy.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am on July 25, 2026, at Historic Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church, 20 S. 8th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034.

Inurnment will take place at Detroit Memorial Park, 4280 E. 13th Mile Road, Warren, Michigan at a later date.

Link for Lifestream:

https://www.tannerchapel.org/live-stream/