Martha Jane Veal was born April 25, 1930 and left her home in West Palm Beach, Florida for her heavenly home on Sunday, November 24, 2024. Born in Deepstep, Georgia to Annie-Belle Andrews Veal and Robert Frank Veal, she was the baby of twelve children and grew up on a farm, living a very simple life in a loving family that worked hard and feared God. She belonged to Deepstep United Methodist Church, and attended Deepstep Elementary and Sandersville High School. After graduating from Young Harris College in 1950, she was married 62 years to the love of her life, Eugene (Gene) Veal. They knew each other as children and never had eyes for anyone else. They were a team from the very beginning. Throughout their married life, she partnered in every venture from the local Magnolia Creamery retail shop for his dairy business to the Tree House Gallery family business. While raising their family, she was seat-side when he pulled people skiing, and was his fishing buddy and card-playing partner.
Jane is preceded in death by her husband Gene, her son David Veal (2021) and her oldest grandchild Meg Metzger (2024). She is survived by her children, Franklin (Lori Veal) and Beverly (Dan) Bonner; grandchildren, Sandy (Chad) Dorsey, Lauren (Jared Pitts), Wes (Lauren) Bonner and Eric Veal; and 11 great-grandchildren, Carson Burrell, Rilla Metzger, Addie Dorsey, Dean Dorsey, Owen Dorsey, Eden Jane Dorsey, Harper Pitts, Gaines Pitts, Ella Bonner, Preston Bonner, and Calvin Bonner.
Jane was truly a Southern lady who feared God, respected her husband and loved family, a homemaker who found joy in serving her family and friends. She spent time having fun, but it always came after the work was done. When her family was all at home, there was hardly a Sunday that she did not “fry up” chicken after church. Full of hospitality, she always left the door open! Their home was a revolving door not only for relatives, but also for all of the friends the kids brought home from high school and college --and it always included a home-cooked spread. Over the years Jane and Gene lived in Georgia and Tennessee but in her last ten years she made her home in West Palm Beach, quickly finding community with friends in Family Church as well as her neighbors. She was known to all as Mama Jane — if you knew her, you loved her. There was hardly a conversation about her that someone did not say—she is so sweet. She was extremely social and did not want to miss anything. From her early days of Bridge and Canasta to the latter days of Rummykub, she was always eager for friends to come over to play---but watch out, she was competitive and loved to report her wins! Jane was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The kids in the family brought her great joy. She loved being in their lives whether watching their sports, hearing about their accomplishments or challenging them in Go Fish and Rummykub. She loved the Lord with a simple faith and purity of heart, humbly fearing and loving God and serving others. She has left a huge hole in our hearts, but her faith in Jesus and love for family is a testimony to all.
A visitation for Jane will take place on Saturday, November 30, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Family Church Downtown, 1101 S Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 10:00AM.
