Herman McNealy was born in Sylacauga, Ala., on Aug. 13, 1925. He died on June 23, 2012.
Herman was preceded in death by his wife, Earlene McNealy; parents James and Lucy McNealy; bothers, Lonzey, Jimmy and S.T. McNealy; and sisters, Gladys Thompson and Katie Naylor.
As a child, Herman along with the rest of his family, relocated to Chattanooga. During the last part of his life he accepted Christ as his Lord and personal Savior. During his military years with the Army, he was awarded the Purple Heart. After leaving the Army, he worked as a banquet manager at The Read House, Fairland Club and the Marriott. Over time he gained greater love for God and this was evident in his spirit of battling through everything at the end.
Herman is survived by his daughters, Annette Franklin and Brenda McNealy; son, Kenny Raye McNealy (All of Chattanooga); sister, Leler Ruth Blackmon of Chattanooga; grandchildren, Jamale and Kadeadra McNealy, Lamar Lawanda, Maria, Talania, Darneisha, Joy, Chyna and Demarcus Franklin, Latonya Moore, Jasmine and Flora Roach, all of Chattanooga, special great-grandkids, Arianna and Dearion McNealy of Chattanooga and special brother-in-law, James Wilcher, devoted friends, Carlos Tate and Christopher Russell, as well as a host of other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 29, at noon at Olivet Baptist with Pastor Pollard officiating. Interment will be in National Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Thursday, June 28, with the family receiving friends from 5–7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.