Today we’d like to introduce you to Charmeal Neely-Alexander.
Hi Charmeal, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
How it all started… born and raised in Memphis TN. Although I did not live with my Father James H. Neely, he was molding me from afar and he didn’t know it. He was always held in high regard in my life at a young age and I didn’t know it either. However, at the age of 17 years old, he told me more about my lineage of Thomas Tom Lee. (Tom Lee is a Memphis Hero who saved 32 lives in the Mississippi River in 1925.)
In 1987, Mayor Richard Hackett honored our family with a Tom Lee Day, and we celebrated with a family picnic in Tom Lee Park. Everything about my family member Tom Lee is detailed, it’s so much attached to one little thing. However, when my Dad passed away I was gifted his briefcase, and in it was his life story.
So, over the years, I picked one story at a time of what I could carry on for him. One feature was his passion for the family! He loved family gatherings and his siblings. Next was his passion for education, he was a Teacher at the MSCS, a small business owner, and an artist. Most importantly, the family part is what I gravitated towards, and Tom Lee was a big part of that. Subsequently, I began to research and ask questions.
My Aunt Evelyn Watts was one of the greatest people on earth to me, I loved her so much, she was the face of the word AUNT. She educated me as much as she could during the time we had on earth with her, and she shared many aspects of her childhood and time spent with Tom Lee at the home the Engineers Club gifted him for saving those lives located at 923 Mansfield (Klondike).
Fast forward to 2006… after many years of holding the helm for my lineage, it paid off Oct 2006, the long-awaited statue depicting an actual image of the Hero Tom Lee was installed and designed by David Alan Clark. Although, I managed to make it happen from afar, residing in Atlanta GA from 2000-2010 and later residing in Las Vegas, NV from 2010-2014, then back to Atlanta from 2014-2018.
2014 my daughter was born. This is when I knew God had a great sense of humor. I was 44 years old when I found out I was pregnant. My husband Eric of 14 years was so excited that he walked/ran 4 miles to the hospital emergency room because I thought I had the flu. I first met my husband in the 4th grade, then unknowingly we would soon cross paths again in 1995 and the rest is history… we were soulmates.
He was my friend, and he was my everything. He undoubtedly taught me so much more than I would ever learn from reading a book. I also loved him more than I thought I could ever love a person. We were opposites attracted in many ways, but it turned out to be a good thing for our future because after 18 years we had a little girl, and we named her Aria.
Before Aria… while living in GA for 10 years and never could get pregnant, at least that’s what we thought… maybe it was the stressful lifestyle that we could not conceive. However, he woke up one day and said let’s move to Las Vegas, NV and I said OK!!! Eric lived a very eccentric lifestyle as a young adult in Memphis TN. He experienced Las Vegas at a young age, so apparently, when he saw an opportunity to go back I was just as eager. We lived in the Valley for 4 years, until June 2013 I found out I was pregnant.
During my pregnancy, we did a lot of nighttime driving just to see the bright lights that Vegas displayed, and we came upon the signages Aria Las Vegas and Vdara Hotel from I-15 he said that’s going to be her name Aria Vdara, and she was born Feb 2014. Our life changed. Once the Dr gave us the clean bill of health we headed South, back to Memphis, TN to share our bundle of joy with our family and friends. By June 2014 we were back in Atlanta.
This is when the fairytale started to get dark. Eric started getting sick each winter and by Feb 2018 he passed away. I was devastated I didn’t know whether to stay in Atlanta or go back to Memphis. So, I accessed my life and decided to do what I always wanted to do. Raise my daughter in a home of our own, volunteer, give back to my community, and settle down in a life for Aria.
Eric “Da Real Mac-E” Alexander was very well known in Memphis, TN. Eric went to Fairley High School and Hillcrest High School, and we crossed paths at Hillcrest and of course the Crystal Palace Skating Rink. His crew was the Bovans, they had several businesses in Memphis, and one we all frequented Mr. B’s on Third Street (top of the hill at Third Street and Raines).
They were very popular during the late 80s. Mac-E was his first moniker, then alone came Da Real Mac-E, because he started a Rap career. By the year 2000, we moved to Atlanta, GA at the end of FreakNik. While there he formed a group called Streetmade Muzic with some friends that would eventually become family. Later he used to write hooks for several Memphis artists while in the ATL, and he eventually met Soup DeVille of College Park GA.
They made a long-lasting mix tape self-titled “Da Real Mac-E – Macin 4 Millionz”. During our time in the ATL, we would get visits from Lola aka Gangsta Boo, she was the girlfriend of my nephew Keith and after the breakup, she became a Sista from another Mother. Eric recorded with several artists Kingpin Skinny Pimp, Dilla2x, Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo, Chyna, Young Noble Outlawz (TupaC) Tricky Nikki, Hard Todd, John Boi, Doe Boy, Attitude of our Birmingham.
Also, what’s more important to the South is that Mac-E and Meechie started the Gangsta Walk with Ray the J at Club No Name on Lamar Ave in Memphis, TN. The most listened to track was “Tennessee” biography of Memphis Rappers. Rest in Peace Eric aka Da Real Mac-E.
By September 2018 I signed my first-ever contract for a new home with a long hallway that Aria could run up and down. It’s been 5years. Tom Lee has a new park, Aria is thriving in a local non-public school. Aria remembers a lot of time spent with her Dad, and she finally was able to read Her Dad and Lola’s obituary. Aria is now 9 years old and she’s participating in Yoga to keep her grounded through it all.
We visit Tom Lee Park a lot and we also tour Memphis like we’re tourists. We reside in Whitehaven, a community that Eric and I grew up in. I currently live on the same street I used to walk to school, which was Hillcrest High School, and I attended from 6th grade to 12th grade. I’ve been the President of my neighborhood association; I’ve also held a position with my High school alumni association, and I help start and/or lend advice to a local non-profit organization Respect the Haven.
For a short time, I was the Executive Administrator at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. One of the people Tom Lee saved was Margaret Oates, after she survived a few years later she married Hugo Dixon and they both opened Dixon Gallery and Gardens, and the rest is history. Since early 2000 Lola Mitchell aka Gangsta Boo, was a friend of the family, however, around 2014 we became even closer due to My husband passing and since I had a new baby.
Lola knew us for years as only a couple and she was elated to hear we were having a baby. However, when Eric passed in 2018, she was just as devastated as anyone could be, thus she became my little sister and she became Auntie Lola to Aria. She and Aria had something in common, both lost their dad and they were both Daddy’s girls.
For the last 8 years, Lola would visit Memphis and stay with us and she and Aria would do girlie stuff, it was so sweet and innocent, we loved Lola and still do. We have pictures when they dressed alike for Halloween in The Boo Crew pajamas! I miss her so much, just hearing her give me positive vibes and remembering her positive advice, she was so loved here at the Sunshine House. Yes, we gave our house a name and Aria loves it.
I called Aria my Sunshine before she was born, for many reasons, that people thought her name was Sunshine, I almost filed for a name change, but her Dad said NO. He wanted her to have four letters in her name like his. It’s been a bittersweet life and I am still standing strong for my daughter, and she’s amazingly stronger than I thought she would be. That’s all folks and Thank you for stopping by.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
– Community Activist Great Great Niece to Tom Lee.
– President of my Neighborhood Association.
– Executive Administrator of a Local Non-Profit Organization.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Moving back home to Memphis, TN, was a significant life change, and it’s common to gain valuable insights and lessons from such experiences.
Appreciation for Roots: Returning to my hometown deepened my appreciation for my roots and the cultural family connections that exist there.
Personal Growth: Moving back home provided an opportunity for personal reflection and growth. It’s not what it used to be. I’m such a nostalgic person and I come to find out people are not as loving and caring.
Community Bonds: Reconnecting with the local community can be rewarding. It’s been a sight to see, my old neighborhood from what it was to what it is now.
Navigating Change: My hometown may have changed since I left, and adapting to these changes teaches flexibility and resilience. Embracing change is a crucial life skill, that I’m adapting to daily.
Rediscovering Local Treasures: Being away often makes people overlook local gems and attractions. Moving back allows you to rediscover the hidden treasures, whether they are cultural, culinary, or historical, I’ve discovered some GREAT things in Memphis, and my daughter and I visit places like we’re tourists.
Balancing Nostalgia and Reality: While nostalgia can be comforting, it’s essential to balance it with an understanding of the present. Recognizing both the positive and challenging aspects of your hometown is part of the process.
Family Dynamics: Returning home may involve navigating family dynamics. Learning to appreciate and understand the complexities of family relationships contributes to personal and emotional growth.
Cultural Identity: Reconnecting with your hometown can play a role in shaping or reaffirming your cultural identity. It may involve embracing local traditions, customs, and values.
Life’s Cyclical Nature: Moving back to my hometown highlights life’s cyclical nature. It’s a reminder that people often experience different phases, and returning home can be a significant part of that journey.
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