Otha Anderson Carneal, Jr., age 90, died at Bethany House, Auburn, AL under the compassionate care of Hospice of East Alabama Medical Center. He was a life long resident of Selma, Alabama, but spent his last five years with his daughter in Opelika, Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-five years, Mary Steele Herrington Carneal, parents, Otha A. Carneal, Sr. and Mattie Ruth Walker Carneal and sister, Ruth Carneal Saunders. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Lawrence Phillips, Opelika, AL; his granddaughter and husband, Currie and Matt Bucher, Austin, TX; sisters-in-law, Josephine Herrington Pace, Panama City, FL and Betty Herrington Moore, Dallas, TX; nieces, Martee Moore Holt, Richardson, TX and Jan Pace (Bill) Sheffield, Panama City, FL; and nephews, Jim (Carol) Pace, Elon, NC, Stephen Saunders, Birmingham, AL and Michael (Vicki) Saunders, Montgomery, AL.
He worked for his father at Selma Electric Battery Company. When his father retired, he became the owner and changed the name to Carneal Auto Service. He was proud of Selma and gave generously of himself to his community. He served twice as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and several times as a director. He took every opportunity to promote Selma. He chaired Riverfront Market, worked with Old Cahaba, and completed a survey for the Downtown Revitalization Project. In retirement, he worked tirelessly for the Old Depot Museum cataloging all of the artifacts and lending his organizational skills to the displays. He also took an active role in his church, Church Street United Methodist Church. He served as Sunday school superintendent, and taught a 6th grade Sunday school class for many years. He proudly served his country during WWII from 1942-1946 as an instrument specialist, 333rd Troop Carrier Squadron in the Army Air Corps, state side at Craig Field and then in India, China and Burma. A memorial service will be held at Church Street United Methodist Church, Selma, AL on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour before in the Calhoun Parlor.
The family requests no flowers and suggests donations to Hospice of East Alabama Medical Center, 665 Opelika Road, Auburn, AL 36830, United Methodist Children’s Home, PO Box 830, Selma, AL 36702 or the charity of your choice. Alabama Funeral Homes &Cremation Centers of Dadeville, AL were in charge of the arrangements.