Neal Crawford Houston, 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 2, 2023, at his home after an extended illness. He was born March 31, 1929 in Saltillo to the late Humpy and Ozell Houston. Neal grew up in East Tupelo and lived on Old Saltillo Road all of his life. He worked on the family farm in his early years and attended Lawhon Junior High School. Neal was very intelligent from a young age and was able to skip the first grade at Lawhon. He went on to graduate from Milam High School in 1947, with academic Honors.
Neal started working for Central Electric at age 15, where he worked after school, winding electric motors. He worked his way up in the company which is now Jesco. He retired at the age of 92 with 77 years of service with Jesco. He was well known around North Mississippi as the electric motor specialist. Neal could figure out and fix anything that came up in the electrical machine shop.
Neal was a faithful member of Oak Hill Community Church in Saltillo. He received great pleasure from attending Oak Hill with family and friends. He loved the Lord and accepted Jesus as his Savior at age 15, and worshipped God with all his heart. Neal served two years in the United States Army. He was stationed in Brooklyn, New York where he worked as a radio repair technician. He graduated from Army radio repair school at the top of his class. Neal married his high school sweetheart, Nellie Bennett Houston when they were both 18 years old. They raised their only son, Tim Houston, in a loving, Christian home. Neal enjoyed fishing, camping, and storytelling. He loved telling about his Army boot camp day and lots of fishing stories.
Neal is survived by his son, Tim Houston (Hazel) of Saltillo; two grandsons, Randell Houston of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Rick Houston of Saltillo; four great-grandchildren, Ricky Houston (Haley) and John Houston, all of Oceanside, California, Sean Houston of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Paige Houston of Columbus; one great-great-granddaughter, Ivory Houston; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Humpy and Ozell Houston; his wife of 75 years, Nellie Rue Houston (Skeeter); a brother, Tommy Houston; and a sister, Jane Conwill.
Visitation will be 5 until 8 p.m. Monday, June 5, 2023 at Pegues Tupelo. Services with Military Honors will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues with Bro. Donnie Riley and Bro. Josh Tate officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Rick Houston, Randell Houston, Ricky Houston, Jon Houston, Sean Houston, Tony Houston, Johnny McGaugh, and John Wiggington.
