Neal Slayden Charlton of Hoover, Alabama went home to his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, on April 3, 2020. Neal was born in Nashville, Tennessee on December 17, 1983 and grew up in Decatur, Alabama. He graduated from Decatur High School and attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he played trombone in the Pride of The Southland Marching Band.
Neal worked as an automotive detailer for Cars Recon in Moody Alabama. Neal was a lifelong and faithful member of the United Methodist Church, a 30 year childhood cancer survivor, a dedicated camper at Camp Smile-A-Mile, an animal lover, car enthusiast, kayaker, water skier, seafood and chocolate lover, and dedicated UT Vols fan. He embodied the “Volunteer Spirit”, always ready to lend a helping hand. Despite having a quiet demeanor, he was known amongst friends and family for his dry sense of humor and sharp wit. Friends associate the following with Neal: a gentleman, Seinfeld, classic rock musical knowledge, old western movies, Honda, James Bond, Dr Pepper, boots, cowboy hats, and his massive shoe collection.
Neal is survived by his loving wife, Angela Kerper Charlton of Hoover, parents, E. Dorris Charlton III and Lisa Slayden Charlton of Cullman, sister Kathryn (Katy) Hines (Stephen), niece Hannah Frances Hines, nephew Charlton Michael (Charlie) Hines of Signal Mountain, TN, mother and father-in-law Kimberly and John Kerper of Hoover, brothers-in-law Andrew Kerper (Amy) and Michael Kerper of Hoover, sister-in-law Christina Kerper of Oak Park, IL, many beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, and in-laws, and the family Maltese, Bernie.
A private graveside service was held on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 where the service was streamed on Facebook Live. Please search on Facebook for @WoodlawnRoesch.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Smile-A-Mile, Saint Jude Hospital, or your favorite charity.
A Celebration of Life Service for Neal will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 13 in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 320 3rd Avenue SE, Cullman, AL. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:30-11:00.
The family sincerely appreciates all the prayers, support, visits, calls, food, flowers, memorial contributions, and many other expressions of sympathy following Neal’s passing in April. Many of you may have joined the family graveside service on the funeral home facebook page.
One thing obviously missing due to the COVID pandemic restrictions was a traditional service to provide an opportunity for group worship, sharing, and fellowship. Now that the COVID restrictions have been relaxed, we are looking forward to that opportunity.
Although the church has resumed services, routine COVID precautions are being observed (masks, social distancing between groups, hand sanitizer, traffic flow, etc). We will provide any additional, up-to-date details closer to the date of the service.