Mozel Neely

Mr. Mozel Neely, 87, of 401 Hunter Street, York SC transitioned to his heavenly home on Sunday August 22, 2021 at Agape Hospice House, Lexington SC. He was born on May 4, 1934 to the late Jessie Neely and Versie Page Currence.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Monday, August 30, 2021 at Liberty Baptist Church in York, SC. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens in York, SC. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Sunday, August 29th at the funeral home.

**PLEASE BE AWARE THAT MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE FUNERAL HOME AND LIBERTY BAPTIST CHURCH!! OTHER COVID PROTOCOLS WILL BE FOLLOWED AS WELL. ***

***PER THE FAMILY'S REQUEST, PLEASE LIMIT VISITATION TO THE FUNERAL HOME HOURS AND NOT AT THE FAMILY HOME. ***

Mozel was a member of Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church in Filbert, SC, where he supported and served as Deacon.  He was also a member of the Pleasant Grove Lodge #4 Union Cooperative of Charity.

He was one of the original founders of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in York, SC and also served as the Grand Marshall in 2017.

Mozel was a sharp dresser.  Everything had to match from top to bottom and fit to a tee.  Matching shoes and a top hat were also part of the ensemble anytime he wore a suit.

He was known by lots of names, perhaps some we may not need to know, but the ones we are familiar with were Daddy, Pops, Papa, Old Man, Moe Neely, and Mr. Mose to name a few.

As the old saying goes, when EF Hutton speaks, everybody listens. That’s what would happen when Mozel spoke.  All of his children, bonus children, friends, neighbors, and sometimes even strangers listened.  He was well respected.

Mozel loved to cook and was a great cook.  One of his favorite things to cook was his soft fried okra.  No one could cook it like him.  He could lay a hurting on that okra that would make you hurt yourself eating it.  He was also known for his beef soup, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese.  It was always requested to have his fried chicken and macaroni and cheese during revival Sunday at his church.

Mozel worked for Huntley’s in York for almost 40 years until it closed.  He worked for York Lumber Company for a few years, then went in business for himself making all kinds of cabinets and chests.  He had great hands and could put together anything needed for your home.  Later in life, he went on to work for Wright Funeral Home until his health prevented him from doing the work he loved—working as a grave digger for his friend for over 35 years.  He was always there, always on time, and could always help families find where their loved ones were placed if they did not remember. 

He was preceded in death by one daughter Margaret (Jip) Neely, one brother Ulysses Currence, and two sisters, Hattie Bankhead and Mildred Burris. 

Surviving to cherish fond memories is his loving wife of 65 years, Sarah Neely. Five sons, Charles Neely (Vanessa) of Jacksonville, FL, Clarence Neely (Barbara), Ronnie Neely (Sheila), and Henry Neely (Pollyanna) all of York SC, and James Neely (Marilyn) of Lesslie SC; one daughter, Christa Neely of Rock Hill, SC: one brother James Neely (Delilah) of Baltimore MD, five sisters, Elma Clancey (Bryant) of Ballwin MO, Jessie Mae McCoy (Alexander) and Lilly Neely both of York SC, Margaret Davis of Charlotte NC, and Joyce Wright (Jimmy) of Columbia, SC; a special grandson reared in the home, Antwon Neely (Devery) of Newport, SC; His goddaughter, Bridget Wright White (Duane) of Rock Hill, SC; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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