Joan Neal

Born in Hingham, Mass., on Sept. 13, 1933, she was the daughter of James John Loney and Alva Alma Loney. She graduated from Hingham High School and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston and began working as a civilian administrative assistant for the US Navy in Boston.

It was there she met a young Naval Lieutenant named Jerry who repeatedly tried to set her up with his friends. Finally he found the courage to ask her out himself and they were married shortly thereafter in Hingham on July 1, 1960. They were making plans for their 50th anniversary party before her death.

The couple moved to Charlotte in the early 1960s and became active members of Paw Creek Presbyterian Church. Joan served as a deacon and elder and was the first female Clerk of Session at Paw Creek. She served on numerous committees of the Mecklenburg Presbytery (USA) and was recently presented with the Presbyterian Women USA Honorary Lifetime Membership.

After staying home to raise a family, she decided to attend college at the age of 42. She graduated from UNCC and continued her studies to receive her Master’s degree in English from UNCC as well. Her career included teaching English at UNCC, working in the Business News department at The Charlotte Observer; as a speechwriter for The City of Charlotte, Mayor’s office; and as the Business Manager for First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. She also was an entrepreneur when she owned and operated Coulwood Country, a retail gift and décor store.

She was an avid reader, a member of two book clubs and was once the President of the Mecklenburg County Friends of the Library. She served as a reading buddy for elementary school children until her death.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry William Neal Sr., sons Jerry W. “Jay” Neal, Jr. and wife Charlotte, of Davidson; Jeffrey Alexander Neal and wife Jennifer, sister Jane Clayton and husband Bob; and grandchildren Jerry William Neal, III, Rachel Ferguson Neal, John Wesley Neal, Trevor Jeffrey Neal, Alexander Phillips Neal, Elisabeth Cynthia Neal, and Margaret Joan Neal.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 20, from 6-9 pm at Paw Creek Presbyterian Church. Funeral and burial services will be Sunday March, 21 at 2:00 pm also at Paw Creek Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crisis Assistance Ministry c/o Paw Creek Presbyterian Church, 7400 Mount Holly Rd., Charlotte, NC 28214.