Jerry Lee Nealy

Lake Wateree Mr. Jerry Lee Nealy, 68, died Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Lake Wateree Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Pelham officiating and music by Brenda Pelham. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the church. Jerry was born December 12, 1953 in Macon, GA and was a son of the late Joseph Nealy and Jeane Lee Miller. He was a 1972 graduate of Chester High School and went on to graduate in 1976 from the University of South Carolina. Although he was a USC graduate he was a die-hard Clemson fan. Jerry spent most of his childhood in the Armenia section of Chester County with his grandparents Jerry Lee and Ruth Lee. He was married to his high school sweetie Dewana for 45 years. It was always Jerry and Dewana’s dream to live at Lake Wateree; they realized that dream in 2000. After moving to Lake Wateree, Jerry became an active member of Lake Wateree Baptist Church where he served on various committees. He was also active in the community with WHOA, serving as chairperson for many years and at Dutchman Creek Volunteer Fire Department where he served as Chief before becoming sick. Jerry fought for five and a half years with Gleo Blastoma but still remained engaged in the church and community as long as possible. If anybody needed lake information the common response was ask Jerry Nealy. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and bird watching. Jerry spoiled and enjoyed his river dogs Maisy, Daisy and Dabo. He is survived by his wife Dewana McWatters Nealy and their children Sarah Nealy Blanks of Edgemoor andJoshua Nealy of Annapolis, Maryland; grandchildren, Austin and Logan Blanks of Edgemoor; one brother Kyle Nealy and his wife Kathy and their children Taylor, Jordan and Jackson; one sister, JoLee Rinehardt and her husband George and their daughter Lauren; his mother-in-law, Hazel McWatters. The family would like to thank their many friends at Lake Wateree, his family physician and lifelong friend, Dr. Sam Stone, his doctors at SC Oncology in Columbia, MUSC downtown Columbia and the caring staff at Heart of Hospice Care. He will be missed but not forgotten. Memorials may be made to Lake Wateree Baptist Church, 5856 River Road, Ridgeway, SC 29130 or to Dutchman Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 6 Dutchman Lane, Winnsboro, SC 29180. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.dantzlerbakerfuneralhome.com