She is preceded in death by her father, Ralph Neal and her mother Doris Neal.
She is survived by her brother, Randy Neal (Michele); sister, Pamela Neal Almeling, and nephews, Jason Almeling and Austin Almeling.
Janie’s parents resided in Byrdstown, Tennessee at the time of her birth, and later moved to Knoxville so Janie could attend the Tennessee School for the Deaf.
She graduated from TSD, earned a Bachelors Degree in psychology from Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., and a Master’s Degree in special education from Georgia State University. She taught English at the Georgia School for the Deaf. (And frequently corrected our grammar.) After her retirement from the Georgia school system, she moved to Seattle, WA, where she worked at the Lighthouse for the Blind teaching DeafBlind adults independent living skills. She was a board member of the American Association of Deaf Blind and a past president of the Washington State DeafBlind Citizens organization. She was appointed to the State of Tennessee Council for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing by the Governor in 2014. Janie was a beloved daughter, sister, and fierce advocate for the Deaf and DeafBlind. She was a tough, smart, accomplished, and independent woman, and an inspiration to all who knew her. Janie had an Amazing Grace, and she paid it forward with Amazing Grace.
There will be visitation at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Hwy., Knoxville, TN 37920, Friday, July 15, 2022 between the hours of 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Janie requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Knoxville Center of the Deaf (3731 Martin Mill Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920) and/or the American Association of the Deaf-Blind (248 Rainbow Drive, #14864, Livingston, TX, 77399).
Fond memories and condolences may be shared with the Neal family at www.berryfuneralhome.com
