She was born in Lake Wales, Florida to C.M. and Ethel Willis. She learned early on the importance of resourcefulness and a strong work ethic. As a very young child, she helped her family build their home in Bartow, Florida by hammering any bent nails straight so they could be used the next day. As a teenager, she worked three jobs so that she could attend college.
Beata graduated from Erskine College in 1962 with a degree in Early Childhood Christian Education. She went on to hold several teaching jobs in churches and schools, most notably Millbrook Baptist Kindergarten as a “Terrific Two’s” teacher. She adored young children and was most in-her-element as a preschool teacher. Many of her students became her extended family as well. When she was not teaching, she loved gardening, reading, long walks, traveling, and learning about all things “tea”.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John E. Neal, Jr.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Tonya and John Dunning, Terri and Joe Wilson, and Kevin and Letticia Neal; five grandchildren, Ed and Laurie, Andy, Jess, Abby, and Katie Dunning; and her great-granddaughter Joanie Dunning. She is also survived by many extended family and friends, especially her dear friend Brent Arnold and his sons, Bobby, Matt and Cory.
Our family would like to thank the exceptional staff at the Bridge to Rediscovery at Heartfields of Cary for their extraordinary care of our mother. Your compassion for and patience of her was very much appreciated by us. You became her “everyday family” and she loved you all very much.
We will truly miss our Beata AKA Mom AKA Grandmommy.
No service will be held at this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh in Beata Neal’s name.
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