Jessie Neal

Jessie Ruth Johnson Neal, 80, of Statesville, passed away Monday, September 16, 2013 at Iredell Memorial Hospital. She was born in Iredell County on July 27, 1933 to the late Edgar and Mary Etta Renegar Johnson. Jessie was a graduate of Harmony High School class of 1951 and on Nov. 24, 1954, she married Ray Junior Neal, who survives. She was retired from Sara Lee Intimate Apparel and was a member of Charity Bible Church in Hamptonville where she was the pianist. She was a loving, devoted wife to Ray for 58 years, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Lucille Johnson Joyner and Margaret Johnson Barnard. Mrs. Neal is survived by her husband, Ray Junior Neal; two sons, Randy Neal and Darren Neal, both of Statesville; a grandson, Brandon Ray Neal, of Harmony; three granddaughters, Amber Marie Neal, Anna Marie Neal, both of Harmony, and Jessica Marie Neal, of Statesville. She is also survived by three sisters, Sallie J. Vestal, of Harmony; Thelma J. Shore (Lester) and Wanda J. Turner, both of Hamptonville; four nephews; and three nieces. Funeral services for Jessie Neal will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, September 19, 2013 at Charity Bible Church with Rev. Brian Sipes and Rev. Robbie Sipes officiating. Burial will follow in the Charity Bible Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Wayne Barnard, Eddie Joyner, Garry Vestal, Monty Turner, Brian Joyner, and Lester Shore. The family will visit with friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Wednesday evening, September 18, 2013 at Nicholson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Jessie Neal.