Grace E. Neal

Grace E, Neal, the daughter of the late Samuel Winfield Berkley and Mary Berkley(Jones) was born May 27, 1927 in Edgemere, Maryland. She departed this life after a sudden illness on April 29, 2019. Two brothers preceded her in death, Herman A. Jones and Carl Bates an two cousins who were like brothers, Elton Fisher and Samuel Berkley.

Grace received her education in Edgemere, Maryland public schools and she excelled as a very good student. In 1946, she married the late John W. Smith and from this union four children were born. Later, she married Samuel Neal and from that union, ten more children were added to the family. Grace was employed by a wonderful family, the late Herb and Barbara Mclea for over 50 years. She really adored Sally and Ginger who later entrusted her to care for their children. She also worked for Sally as well as Meg Freeman who were very much like family to her also. 

Grace was a loyal member of the Shining Star Baptist Church an attended faithful until her health declined.

She was an avid reader, game show fanatic and a beam of light to her neighborhood who credits her with keeping things in order. Neighborhood children would visit her to read her books, most especially Stephanie Powell and Yvonne Powell whom she referred to as her little angel. Grace was a natural comedian in all walks of life. Just a few of her witty sayings she had for Wesley and his friends were "Frog Prince In A Toad Hole",  "Fashionable Fungus", Rosetta Space Craft", Halloween Mae", Skeleton Rick", Ocean Octopus", Organic Pig Feet", and "Window Cat With The Gout".

It's a known fact that Grace adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren; she will be sorely missed by all of them.

Grace leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories her children: Sandra Ramseur, Karen (Reginald) Winmond, Charlene (Joseph) Jennings, Wesley Smith, Audrey Meredith, Dr. Hattie Neal Washington, Jean Neal Hundley, Terr Neal Abdul-Razek, Sheila Neal Clark (Walter), Eula Neal Keyes, Edna Neal, Larry Lee, Bishop Samuel Neal III, Arnold Neal (Gwendolyn); one sister, Rosetta Gaylord; many grandchildren, Courtney (Javelin), Anthony (Toreball), John, Quincy, Kenneth, Desiree, Ernest (LaTarsha), Rodney (Teara) and Troy (Tencka), Tiffany Brown, Atty. Cheryl Y,. Washington, Esq., Dr. Charrell Washington-Thomas (Sean), Wayne Saunders; one sister, Rosetta Gaylord (Lewis) and a host of great grands; adopted family, Bernadette Lewis, Lillian McCoy, Sharon Foster, Claudia Waters, Dumpsey, Tootie, Delores Edwards, Jarretta Peterson, Joyce Howell, Percy Alston, Dr. Benjamin Jenkins, Eddie Williams and the family Connection, Serena, Rev. Willie Green and Rev. Rodney Harris of Appomattox, Virginia, Rev. Wendell & Deborah Spence, Bishop Jimmy Hunter, Delores Powell Family, Lenore Reid Family, The Castle and North families, Linwood Keene, John Sutton, Leamon Halston (Bozo), Edward and Dee Baker, Joyce Garner and family, Kermit and Clara Golden, the Peggy and James Alston family, Denise Gentry, Goddaughter, Sharron James (Binky) Clinton, Eljean, Kim and Deborah Carr, Kenneth Farmer; one God sister, Janice Alston and son, Al Curtis and Bernice Shepherd and Gregory Harvey.   

Many vendors would ask her daughter, Sandra, "How is Mama doing", especially the gracious ladies at H & S bakery and the Northeast Chicken Vendors. Grace would chat frequently with her cousins, Aaron Berkley, Robert Teal, Reggie Brown, Moses Fisher, Jr. and Juliet Raney (VA) and Dorothy Teal family, who relished and valued her conversations, because she was the family historian. Extended family includes Attorney Ken & Sally Spence and family, Jim & Ginger Murtaugh and family, Michael Molloy and Dr. Kathleen Awalt and family, special little buddy, Colin Molloy, Meg Freeman, devoted friends; Rose Young, Ellen Elliott (TX), Yvonne Anderson, Wanda & Tolliver, Sally and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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