Dr. Richard McNeal Jewell

Richard McNeal Jewell died peacefully at home on May 10, 2026. He was born on September 23, 1929, in Lottsburg, Virginia to Lloyd Marvin Jewell and Maud McNeal Jewell and was raised in a large, loving family.

Education was always important to Richard. After graduating from Callao High School, Richard attended the University of Richmond on a baseball scholarship for two years. He transferred to Virginia Polytechnic Institute, now known as Virginia Tech and decided to pursue a career in education. He earned his B.S. in agriculture education with academic honor. Richard began his teaching career as a Vocational Agriculture teacher at Gloucester High School. He completed his graduate work at the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia. In a few years he was named Assistant Principal at Gloucester High School and then moved on to serve as principal at Prince George High School and Martinsville High School, both in Virginia. In 1969 he began work on his doctorate in school administration and supervision at Duke University and moved the family to Raleigh in 1970 when he was hired to serve as principal at Broughton High School. During his twenty-two-year tenure at Broughton, Richard provided leadership and vision for the school that received state and national recognition. Broughton was highlighted as a US School of Excellence in 1984 and one of five US high schools in the National Secondary School Recognition Program and featured in US News and World Report (1984). Richard was selected as one of twelve principals in the US to participate in the “Principals-of-Leadership” publicity campaign (1986). He was instrumental in building partnerships and created the Broughton Faculty Alumni Association as well as awards and scholarships to recognize teachers and students. Richard was recognized as Tarheel of the Week in 1986. Richard was a man of strong faith and was an active member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church for 55 years serving as a deacon and elder. He was also a member of Kiwanis Club and other civic organizations and served in the US Army.

Richard and Irene met on a blind date – it must have been a good one as it led to an amazing love story and marriage of 71 years. While many knew Richard as “Dr. Jewell” in his professional work, he was Richard, Daddy or Papa Jewell to his family. He loved planning trips for friends & family and hosting them at their home on the “rivah” in Marshallberg. Richard loved setting crab pots, pulling a shrimp net, oystering and time on the boat. Richard was a man of many talents and interests. He was a master woodworker and collector of antiques, including an extensive collection of Edison record players and records. His collection was featured on the Tarheel Traveler on WRAL tv. Richard and Irene had the opportunity to travel extensively after his retirement.

Richard is survived by his wife of 71 years, Irene; daughters Teresa Jewell Winstead(George) and Brenda Jewell Jones (Wesley); six grandchildren – Ryan McNeal Winstead (Colleen), Haley Jewell Jones Durgin, Kelton Wesley Jones (Jenna), Jackson Edward Winstead(Phoebe), Molly Gray Winstead, Lucas Kinton Jones (Gardner); eight great-grandchildren – Brooks, Sophie, Lillian, Jasper, Russell, Logan, Ruthie and Galene; sister-in-law Anne Jewell and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Marvin and Maud and his siblings; Berkely Jewell, Hilda Jewell, Pauline Swann, Elise Murphy, Eldine Mould, LM Jewell, Jimmy Jewell, Annette Newman, Maxine Beatley and Bob Jewell.

Thank you to our wonderful caregivers; Julie, Christine, Caroline, Kiki, Millie, Rachel, Alice, Vivian and the Hospice Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Broughton Faculty Alumni Association to sponsor student scholarships for future teachers. Checks made out to Broughton Faculty Alumni Association and mailed to Broughton Faculty Association, c/o Broughton HS, 723 St Mary’s St. Raleigh NC 27605

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 2:00 at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. A family graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 at Melrose Church in Lottsburg, VA.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Jewell family.