Jeanette Neal

Jeanette (Bobo) Neal, age 90, entered eternal rest peacefully on August 28, 2020. Jeanette and her twin sister Jean were born in Enoree, South Carolina on August 24, 1930 to Irving and Ann (Holly) Bobo. Jeanette grew up on a farm in Enoree and attended school in a one room schoolhouse. She often spoke of riding the horses and performing chores on the farm. She finished high school in Pittsburgh, PA where she demonstrated a talent and interest in science. After high school, Jeanette “Jet” moved to Washington DC and worked for the Department of the Navy. This is when she met Lindsey B. Neal Jr., her future husband. She and Lindsey, “Benny” were married on December 31, 1952.  After marrying, Benny and Jet purchased their home in Cheverly, Maryland. Jeanette became a busy homemaker raising five rambunctious children and became an active member in the South Cheverly community. Jeanette’s hobbies were gardening, reading, crocheting, and sewing clothes for her children. She enjoyed listening to a wide range of music and reading her Southern Living magazines. She was an excellent cook and her family reaped the benefits of her talent. Additionally, Jeanette loved Maryland crabs and was an avid Washington Redskins fan. She loved animals and had a special weakness for babies.

Jeanette enjoyed the friendship of all her neighbors and at times babysat neighborhood children. She was a doting mother who would take her five kids on all kinds of adventures. Trips to the duck pond, blackberry picking and ice cream after long walks to the local Highs store, were not unusual. Jeanette was ageless; she enjoyed attending Peter Frampton and the Jackson Five concerts with her teenagers. In later years, whenever the Soul Circus came to town, you could count on her being in the audience. She also enjoyed road trips to places such as Colton Point, MD, the Delaware outlets, Disney World and especially various family reunion destinations. Jeanette’s children adored her, and the feeling was mutual. Jeanette’s favorite times of the year were Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter when she was surrounded by her kids; it was heaven for her when she was in the presence of her kids.

Jeanette had an unusual gift of imparting kindness to all whom she encountered. She once met a homeless mother and child, who the family affectionately refers to as Aunt Rachel, which she took in and embraced until they were on their feet. Jeanette’s actions of brotherly love left an imprint on many lives, some would describe her as an angel on earth.

Jeanette is survived by her five children, Juliette Neal, Linda Breeze, Debra Robinson, Lindsey B. Neal III, and Michael Neal; her five grandchildren, Kenny McGill, Candace Cunningham, Maurice Robinson, Deidra Robinson and Lindsey “Ben” Neal IV; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jackie Abell and Purney Jones, sister-in-law, Cynthia Burch and daughter-in-law Stephanie Neal.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lindsey B. Neal JR (1998), her sisters, Jean, Johnny-Ruth, and her brothers, Lincoln, Harold, James and Chevas.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and will be announced.

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