Rev. Terry Leon Nealey: Tabor City

1952 – 2026

     Rev. Terry Leon Nealey of Tabor City died Monday, Sept. 21, in McLeod Loris hospital, Loris. He was 74.

     Born in Horry County, he was the son of the late Robert Leon Nealey and Essie Pauline Watts Nealey.

     Terry was an avid treasure hunter. A singer, musician, poet, and songwriter. An adventure seeker. He was a fisher of men and bream. His generosity spanned not only to the local communities, but reached worldwide, where he regularly donated to foreign mission funds, building churches in Africa, and feeding the orphaned and hungry.

     He gave his life to the ministry of Jesus Christ in 1982, and through his preaching, many souls were saved. He left this world as pastor of Holiness Tabernacle in Tabor City.

     After losing his son “Little Terry” at 17, he remained a father to the fatherless. His heart was full of love for so many, and held the biggest space for his family; his children and grandchildren. His favorite thing in life was being “Papa.”

     He is survived by his wife, Robin Renee Stanley Nealey of the home; three daughters, Tara Graham (Burroughs) of Tabor City, Princess Grantham (Monroe “Dee”) of Tabor City, Kandi Thompson (Justin) of Longs; one sister, Sherry Strickland of Loris; other siblings, Robert Nealey (Jenny) of Tabor City, Jessica Thomas (Jeff) of Green Sea; and seven grandchildren, Seth Nayle, Hannah Nayle, Gabriel Wallace, Scarlett Thompson, Awnley Thompson, Sylas Thompson, Kiara McCumbee.

     In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Terry Leon Nealey II; two brothers, Gary and Greg Nealey; and a sister, Penny McCumbee.

     Visitation was planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Inman Ward Funeral Home.

     Funeral services were planned for 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in the Inman Ward Funeral Home Chapel, burial following in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tabor City.

     Sign a guest register here.