User talk:Socrates23

X. L. Neal was born in Oklahoma to Calvin Neal, a Baptist Minister and Julia Neal. After receiving a degree in Chemistry from Morehouse College he pursued further education by doing his graduate work at Atlanta University. He would later receive a Pharmaceutical Chemistry Degree from Meharry Medical College. He was encouraged to become a Mason by Grand Master John Wesley Dobbs, so he joined W. C. Thomas #112. Atlanta’s own, Booker T. Washington High School yearbooks deliver a photo of X. L. Neal when he taught as a chemistry instructor (fig. 23). The City Directory lists him and his wife Julia in 1961 and is shown as employed at David T. Howard School. He was also a Professor and taught at his Alma Mater, Morehouse College. Legend has it that Grand Master Neal was one of the most knowledgeable men in Masonry, but known mostly for always ‘cracking a wise joke.’ When he retired from the Grand Lodge in 1990, he could be proud of 219 lodges and 22,000 active Masons on the roll. Grand Master Neal is buried at Southview Cemetery with a broken column as a token from the Grand Lodge of his faithful service to the craft and an untimely death (fig. 24). Due to the death of Grand Master Neal, Deputy Grand Master Neal A. McQueen of Augusta became the next Grand Master in a long line of rich tradition. He also was the Master of W. C. Thomas from 1947-1950 while also being the District Deputy Grand Master of Atlanta Masonic District #3. While he was Deputy of Atlanta District for most of the 1950s, his assistant was Horace Banks. Bro. Neal as Grand Master was known as a jokester and often told many funny stories on 330 Auburn Avenue. He was instrumental in formulating the Last Rites ceremony that we practice today. While Grand Master he was said to have performed many Last Rites by himself, while doing all 3 parts. At the burial of Grand Master John Wesley Dobbs (who recruited X.. L. Neal into Masonry) he did the Last Rites solo. This impressed many and it has been said that he didn't miss a word. Bro. Neal was also an Officer with the United Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction and was an Active 33rd member of the Scottish Rite.