Dr. Green B. Neal, MD was the oldest of four children of the late Reverend Choatte R. Neal, Sr. and the late LaVerne Kohn Neal of Hopkins, South Carolina. He was born September 4, 1946 in Hopkins, and he entered eternal rest on October 25, 2024.

Dr. Neal attended the public schools of Richland County, South Carolina and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, South Carolina in 1963. He received his Bachelor of Science degree Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in 1966 from Benedict College, where he graduated magna cum laude. He went on to attend Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and received the Master of Medical Science in Biochemistry and Doctorate of Medicine (MD) in 1971. Dr. Neal dedicated several more years to graduate and specialized training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, including Internal Medicine residency at George W. Hubbard Hospital, and a distinguished Cardiology Fellowship at Vanderbilt Medical Center Division of Cardiology in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1975, he returned to Meharry Medical College to accept an appointment as Assistant Professor of Medicine. Dr. Neal had visiting lectureships and fellowships at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama, the National Medical Association, Georgia State Medical Society, and Tennessee Medical Society.

In 1976, Dr. Neal returned to South Carolina to establish his private medical practice in Eastover, SC and then in Columbia, SC. Faithful to his commitment to the community, Dr. Neal cared for thousands of patients, devoting himself to working well into the evenings, Saturdays, and even house calls for the elderly and homebound patients. Dr. Neal also worked as a physician in the Richland Community Healthcare Association’s Carolina Medical Group. After nearly 50 years of service, Dr. Neal continued operating his private practice in a limited capacity and continued to serve the community through his work at rehabilitation centers, hospice groups, and local charitable nonprofit clinics.

Dr. Neal began his tenure with the South Carolina Department of Corrections in 1979 as a Staff Physician. In 1998, he retired as the SCDC’s State Medical Director.

Colleagues, support staff, and inmates described Dr. Neal as a gifted physician, a judicious and foresightful manager, a man who leads with humanity and serves with compassion.

Dr. Neal’s community involvement and associations included serving on the Board of Directors of the Ben Arnold Boys’ Club in Columbia, South Carolina from 1978-1990, a member of the Community Aid Club, American Medical Association, National Medical Association, Palmetto Medical Association, American Correctional Association, Congaree Medical Association, SC Employees’ Association. In addition, he is a founding member of the Association of Black Cardiologists.

Dr. Neal is a longtime member of St. John Baptist Church in Hopkins, SC, where he served as a deacon. He was the medical director and treating physician of the Community Wellness Group, a nonprofit holistic health center. He served as Medical Director for the non-profit, Joseph H. Neal Health Collaborative, established by the family in 2018 to honor his late brother, Joseph.

Dr. Neal was married for 35 years to Linda Jean Mattison until her death in 2005. Their union was blessed with four children. Dr. Neal is survived by a daughter Tiffany M. Neal of Columbia, S.C. and two sons, Green B. Neal II of Santa Barbara, CA and Marcus Neal (Marcela Nieto Neal) of Columbia, SC. He was predeceased by a son, Christopher Byron Neal of Columbia, SC. He is survived by a sister Wilma Neal Garren (Brent Garren) of South Orange, NJ and predeceased by two brothers, Choatte R. Neal, Jr. (Loretta Neal) of Hopkins SC and Reverend Joseph H. Neal of Hopkins, SC. He is survived by a maternal aunt Janice English (Joseph English). Additionally, Dr. Neal leaves behind several nieces and nephews who each adored him, including Reginald Neal, LaVerne Smith (Samuel Smith), Shawanda Neal, and Akiyah Sumter.

The joy of Dr. Neal’s life is his three grandchildren that he leaves behind: James Christopher Neal Woods, Layla Neal, and Sebastian Neal. “G.B.” or “Gee,” as he is affectionately known by family and friends, is also survived and beloved by numerous extended family members, friends, colleagues, staff, and patients to whom he devoted his life.