Jean Neal

Jean Cecilia Neal, 96 passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. She was born in London, England, on April 24, 1918, to Mr. & Mrs. Bellchambers. It was unusual for a woman to have a higher education at that time, but in 1931, she won a scholarship to Northwestern Polytechnic University and learned to become a milliner or hat maker. During WWII she met L.C. Neal. They married and had one son, Gary William Neal. When their son was 2 years old, L.C. returned to his hometown of Pensacola, Florida with his wife and son. Jean lived and worked in Pensacola at S.H. Kress & Co. and later at TG&Y Stores until her retirement at the age of 68. She moved to Milton, Florida, seven years later to be closer to family. Jean never abandoned her English roots. She loved all English sports including football, cricket and tennis. She was a member of the TBPA- Pensacola Branch English Club. Another lifelong passion was machine knitting. As an active member of the Machine Knitters Guild of Pensacola, they would make and present blankets to various organizations including the preemies at Sacred Heart, The Ronald McDonald House and nursing homes. Jean was a good historian and was especially good at telling war stories. She would recall having her baby and family stay in a bomb shelter at night in London during the war. Jean is preceded in death by her husband L.C. Neal; her son, Gary William Neal, Sr. and her brother, Douglas Bellchambers. She is survived by the nieces she moved to Milton to be close to: Sharon DeLoatche, Debbie Hall and Maxine Waters. She is also survived by her nephew Bill ( Kaye ) Williams; Grandchildren, Michele Downs and Gary W. Neal, Jr.; Great-grandchildren, Kane Downs, Haley Downs and Logan Neal. She will be missed by so many friends and family members. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel, with Rev. Mike Wiggins officiating. Visitation will be held at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the service. Burial will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Eubanks, Scot Eubanks, Dwayne Smith, Fisher Smith, Steve Hall and Kane Downs. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or make a charitable donation to The Ronald McDonald House in Jean’s name if they wish.