Clifford Neal Howell was born December 12, 1944. He was the first of Elzo and Ruby Howell’s five boys. Neal grew up in Grand Bay where he attended high school and was voted “Mr. All-Around” his senior year. He later attended Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK. He joined the Army and served in the Airborne Infantry. He was a Ranger and achieved the rank of Captain. Neal was deployed to Vietnam where he served two tours. He was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Following his honorable discharge in 1973, he embarked upon a career in agriculture/turf fertilizer manufacturing and application. He was particularly proud of his patent in this field. This work included stops in Texas, Ohio, Florida and ultimately back to sweet home Alabama. Along the way he had two sons, Alan and Robert Howell. He met the love of his life Brenda Howell, née Gliddon in Mobile and they were married in 2009.
Neal and Brenda split time between Mobile and Grand Bay. He enjoyed caring for his menagerie of farm animals, travel, his grand-children and sharing the rich Mardi Gras heritage of Mobile with family and friends.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother, Keith. He is survived by his wife Brenda; his two sons, Alan (Martha) and Robert (Kristina) Howell; Brenda’s children, Knox Boteler (Marian) and Linnie Pawlek (Andrew); three brothers, Bill (Wendy), Jeff (Gina) and Paul (Susan) Howell; and six grandchildren, Kaitlyn McKinley (Colby), Ryanne White (Trent), Abby Howell, Annie and Jimbo Boteler and Reed Pawlek; sisters-in-law, Maria Robinson and Anne Neason and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church (10 Westminster Way, Mobile). The family will receive friends starting at 1:30 pm. The service will start at 2:00 pm. He will be interred at Pine Crest Cemetery (1939 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile).
Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the family requests that all in attendance please wear properly fitted face coverings to include the nose and mouth.
Memorial donations may be made in honor of Neal Howell to the Springhill Presbyterian Church, Volunteers of America South East (VOASE) 1204 Hillcrest Rd, Mobile, AL 36695 or your favorite charity.
