Jannette Nealy Sockwell

Jannette Nealy Sockwell was born on April 2, 1919 in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada to John Nealy and Leila Baker Nealy. She was the eldest of the couples three children, and is preceded in death by her brother, Dr. John Nealy, and a sister, Doris Nealy, who died during infancy. Her father was a sleeping car porter on the Canadian Northern Railroad. During childhood, Jannette also lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois prior to moving permanently to Washington D.C. in 1939.

A stickler for education, Leila had instilled its value in her daughter, Jannette, having herself achieved Normal Department degrees from Edward Waters College (Jacksonville) in 1908 and from Atlanta University in 1910, the nation's oldest graduate institution serving a predominantly African-American student population. Jannette followed Leila's example, receiving a two-year degree from City Junior College (Chicago) in 1939, her B.A. in education from Howard University (Washington D.C.) in 1954, and her Masters Degree in education from American University (Washington D.C.) in 1969. She then completed all sixty hours of required coursework toward her doctorate at American University before concluding that completing the rigorous dissertation requirements would not further her income as a career teacher in the District of Columbia Public Schools. A tribute to her diligence is that she persevered over more than two decades to achieve advanced degrees in Washington at night, generally after full days as a substitute and later permanent teacher, and all the while, raising her family.

Jannette had moved to Washington D.C. in 1939, where she met her future husband and life partner, Oliver Richard Sockwell, while both were working at the old Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They married in 1942, and began their family with the birth of Oliver Jr. in 1943, followed by Robert Nealy Sockwell in 1947.

Jannette's husband, Oliver, retired from the U.S. Department of State in 1975 as a Foreign Service Reserve Officer. From that time, and particularly after Jannette retired from teaching in 1986, she and Oliver travelled the world, often with friends, and enjoying the benefits of Oliver's affiliation with the State Department Recreation Association. They travelled extensively, throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the Caribbean, always returning with many photos and unique souvenirs.

Jannette departed this life on Monday, January 26 at the Knollwood Health Services Center in Washington D.C. Her 72-year marriage had ended less than one year ago on April 19, 2014, with Oliver's death at the Washington Home and Hospice. Her life mission completed, she will join Oliver in eternal bliss. Her ashes will be placed with her husband's at the Arlington National Cemetery, Columbarium Court No. 7. She leaves behind her two sons, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends.