Carl Neail Hockaday, age 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Batesville surrounded by his family on September 26, 2018.
The family will hold a memorial gathering on Saturday, October 13, 2018, from 2:00 - 4:30 P.M. at Wells Funeral Home in Batesville, MS.
Born November 14th, 1938 in Corinth, MS, Neail moved to Batesville as young child with his mother, after his father died in service in WWII. He attended Batesville schools all his formative years and graduated from Batesville High School, Class of 1958. He attended the University of Mississippi for 3 years. Neail married Linda Bailey Pund in Batesville, MS, on April 9th, 1976 at the First United Methodist Church.
His occupation as a popular small business owner for 30 years allowed Neail to meet, visit with, and know not only locals but others who traveled through town. Neail shared his positivity with all. Upon retirement in 2006, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with friends and family.
Neail was a dedicated morning coffee group member. His commitment to the fellowship of his coffee group withstood throughout the years regardless of the meeting location. Neail, being particular about his coffee, was even known to bring his own thermos of coffee that his wife prepared for him.
Neail was preceded in death by his father, Carl Hockaday; mother, Nina Mae Hockaday Williams; step-father, Billie Boyd Williams; and one brother, Russell Carlson Williams.
Neail is survived by his wife, Linda Bailey Hockaday of Batesville; brother, Billy Boyd Williams, Jr. of Batesville; 2 daughters, Julie Hockaday Lasseigne and her husband George Augustine Lasseigne, IV of Birmingham, AL, Laura Pund Luckett and her husband Joseph Hugh Luckett, III of Collierville, TN; 1 son, Brian Antone Pund and his wife Polly Branch Pund of Tupelo; 3 grandchildren, Brett Antone Pund of Ocean Springs, Joseph Hugh Luckett IV of Collierville, TN, and Lexi Garnett Pund of Tupelo; also his beloved dog, Marley.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of his name St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to First United Methodist Church, 119 Panola Ave., Batesville, MS 38606.