Edward Dekalb Veal

A Life Remembered

Edward Dekalb Veal—known to family and friends simply as “Ed”—was born on February 20, 1898, in Louisville, Alabama, during a time of significant global and national change.

His early years were marked by the death of his father, James David Veal, when Ed was just nine years old. Despite this loss, Ed's mother, Mary Victoria Norton, ensured that her children received a solid education. Ed attended Marion Military Institute, and later Southern University in Greensboro, Alabama.

In 1917, with the onset of World War I, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS New Hampshire. His time in the Navy equipped him with skills as a cook, baker, and butcher—trades that would serve him well in civilian life.

After the war, Ed and his brother Lewis opened a grocery store in Louisville. Though the venture was short-lived, it led Ed to Tuscaloosa, where he worked at Raiford’s Shoe Store. In 1920, he married Mae Searcy at the Louisville Methodist Church. The couple had three sons: Edward Jr. (1921), Ross (1926), and David (1938).

Ed's career path took him to various cities and roles, including positions with the Singer Sewing Machine Company and later with Sinclair Oil Corporation. The Great Depression brought significant challenges. During this time, Ed worked for the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

In the 1940s, Ed returned to Tuscaloosa and, in partnership with his mother, opened the Mary Veal Cafeteria, which became known for its excellent food and community atmosphere. He was also an active member of Rising Virtue Lodge No. 4 and the local Elks Club.

Ed was known for his sharp wit, love of reading—particularly mysteries by authors like Erle Stanley Gardner—and his generosity. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, he remained a devoted husband and father. Diagnosed with cancer in 1950, Ed declined extensive treatment and passed away on January 21, 1953, in Tuscaloosa. His funeral was a testament to the impact he had on his community, drawing many to honor his memory.