Mr. Howard Nealy Jr. (A.K.A. Buddy Bae, Pops, My J.R., Bugeye) was the second oldest son born on May 8, 1935 to Howard Nealy Sr. and Fannie (Nae Lockett) Nealy in Scooba, Mississippi.

After the passing of his mother at the young age of 7 years old, Howard was reared by his grandmother, Lula Granger Nealy, until the age of 16 years old. At that time Mr. Howard Nealy then moved to East St. Louis, IL, which would become his hometown, to live with his father and stepmother, Ida Nealy. Mr. Howard Nealy Jr. worked at Hunter's Packing House for many years until his retirement.

Mr. Howard Nealy married Daisy Suggs on December 24, 1999 after a long and loving courtship. A short time later, he joined and attended Rock Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Maurice Brown Sr.

It brings his wife Daisy great joy to know that Howard knew the Lord, and more importantly, that the Lord knows Howard.

Howard loved his family and loved spending time with his family. He loved family gatherings and taking family trips. Howard loved working outdoors doing any type of yard work such as planting flowers and plants, cleaning, raking, cutting his grass and the neighbor's grass too. Howard also loved sitting on his porch "people watching" as he would put it. Watching people from his porch was better than watching TV because the people on TV weren't real.

Howard never met a stranger. His smile, personality, silly phrases and sayings could make anyone smile and laugh. Not only did Howard love his family, but Howard's family loved, honored and cherished him.

Mr. Howard Nealy Jr leaves to cherish his precious memory his devoted wife, Daisy Nealy; six sons Timothy (Stephanie) Nealy and Howard David Nealy of Cahokia, IL, Mark (Shirley) Nealy and Dexter Nealy of Columbia, MO, DeMarco Suggs and Howard Demond Nealy of East St. Louis, IL.; five daughters, Peggy Ann Nealy, Paulette Nealy, and Tracey Nealy all of Columbia, MO, Talia (Daryl) Hogan of Huntsville, AL, and Dasmine Nealy of East St. Louis, IL; two brothers, James (Carolyn) Nealy of Albuquerque, NM and Herman (Pamela) Nealy of Flint, MI; two sisters, Fannie (Edmund Sr.) Baker of Portsmouth, VA AND Edna Humphrey of Mt. Morris, MI; uncle Lonnie (Clara) Nealy of Tuscaloosa, AL; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews; two brother-in-laws, Wilbert Brown and Elston (Tera) Suggs; three sister-in-laws Lois Brown, Lorraine Adams and Antionette (Reginald) Perkins, and a host of friends, loved ones and 27 ^th Street Neighbors. Mr. Howard Nealy was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Nealy Sr. and Fannie Nealy, grandmother, Lula Granger, and two brothers Ernest Nealy and George Nealy.