Royelle O'Neal Mangum

Royelle O'Neal Mangum, 93, passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2024. A native of Wake County, he is the son of the late Robert H. and Erma O'Neal Mangum.

A funeral service will be held Monday, December 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Highland Baptist Church, Raleigh. Burial will follow at the Bagwell Family Cemetery, 5898 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC 27610.

Royelle was married to his high school sweetheart, Jewel, for 75 years. His devotion to her was evident in the way he cherished her memory. Royelle and Jewel enjoyed dancing with the Dixie Twirlers for many years and spending time making visits to family and friends. They were long time members of Highland Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and with the Ambassadors men's group, participated in the Young at Heart senior group, and served as a deacon.

He retired from North Carolina State University, working many years as a Radiation Protection Officer. He loved to be of service to others and found joy in being a helper to everyone living on the family farm, doing anything from regularly cutting acres of grass to taking weekly trash runs to the dump for nearby relatives. Royelle was hard working, faithful, and consistent in serving others. His giving spirit was exemplified by his annual trips to the onion farms in Eastern North Carolina where he would purchase several hundred pounds of onions for friends and family members.

He loved baseball all his life, both as a player and little league coach. He spent hours in his workshop and took great care in building carpentry items he gifted to loved ones. Many grandchildren have used his handcrafted rocking horses, benches, highchairs, doll beds, barns, bird houses, and Christmas decorations.

He excelled in his roles as grandfather and great grandfather and was affectionately called Granddaddy by all of them. He was quick to lovingly tease and joke, with a list of frequently used signature phrases. His joyful personality made his presence warm and welcoming. Granddaddy spent many hours playing card games with his grandchildren. He has given his great grandchildren countless Gator rides around the family farm which were the highlight of many family gatherings.

Royelle is survived by his daughter, Sue Clements and husband, Ken; sons, Tommy Mangum and wife, Jeannie, Bret Mangum and wife, Felicia, all of Garner; grandchildren, Casey Clements (Heather) of Garner, Adam Clements (Cassondra) of Willow Spring, Daniel Clements (Ginger) of Garner, Laura Miller (Aaron) of Raleigh, Nathan Clements of Garner, Aaron Mangum of Plano, Tx, Rachel Peterson (Jacob) of Sanford, Michelle Gerrald (Steven) of Garner, Ashley Earl (Michael) of Angier, Joy Lewis (Luke) of Atkinson; great-grandchildren, John Clements, Gracie Clements, Will Clements, Lucan Clements, Sofia Clements, Max Clements, Aubreigh Clements, Saben Clements, Aria Clements, Ronin Clements, Lawrence Clements, Liam Miller, Claira Miller, Grayson Miller, Ryder Clements, Juliet Clements, Hank Mangum, Jack Peterson, Owen Peterson, Isaac Gerrald, Addie Gerrald, Silas Gerrald, Bretley Earl, Eli Earl, Harley Prosser, Parker Prosser, and Elizabeth Ann Lewis.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 75 years, Jewel Poole Mangum, brothers Robert H. Mangum, Jr. and R. Carlton Mangum and sisters Malene Newton, Clairene Keith, Mattie Leigh Gay and LaVonne Bagwell.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Sunday, December 22, 2024 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Garner. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com