GREENSBORO — Sadie Neel, a member of Campbell University’s class of 1942, received the 2013 Heritage Award from the N.C. Baptist Foundation and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina on April 23 at the 13th annual N.C. Baptist Heritage Award luncheon at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center in Greensboro, N.C.
The Heritage Award, one of the highest honors given by the convention, recognizes individuals who represent exemplary service and giving to the Baptist State Convention or organizations associated with the convention now or in earlier times.
Twelve other awards were presented during the luncheon by those organizations, including Campbell University, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Gardner-Webb University, Meredith College, Mars Hills College, N.C. Baptist Men, the Baptist Children’s Homes and others.
Neel, currently a homemaker, taught public school for more than 30 years. She graduated from Campbell Junior College in 1942 and went on to graduate from Meredith College in 1944. A loyal Baptist, she is an active member of the Falling Creek Baptist Church in Goldsboro, where she is an organist, teaches a Sunday school class, serves on the Stewardship Committee, and is active in WMU and missions. She has also served as director of her church’s Outreach Committee and as former council representative for the Neuse Association. She does volunteer work in the Association Office.
Neel, who was married to the late Robert Hannibal Neel, has one son, Robert Neel Jr., a 1973 Campbell University graduate, and two daughters, Sara Powell and Eva Wardrup.
She and her family have been enthusiastic supporters of Campbell University and North Carolina Baptist programs for many years. Her brother, the late Lewis Outlaw Jr., was one of Campbell’s major benefactors; and in 1990, Neel created a scholarship fund at Campbell in Outlaw’s memory to be given annually to a student from Southern Wayne High School or to a Wayne County student in general.
Neel has served four terms on Campbell’s Board of Trustees (1994-1997, 1999-2002, 2004-2007, and 2008-2012). As a trustee, she served as vice chair of the Executive Committee and on the Committee on Institutional Advancement.
“I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than Sadie Neel,” said Campbell University President Jerry Wallace. “She has served Campbell University, Baptist organizations and missions, and her church and community in almost every way possible. Campbell University is a better place because of the work and legacy of Sadie Neel.”
Photo: Sadie Neel ’42 with Campbell University President Jerry Wallace.