Obituary of Barbara Jean Neal

Barbara Jean Neal, 75, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2016. She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Dezzie Swanson. Barbara is survived by her sons Ryan Christopher Neal, Eric Jerome Neal; daughters, Angela Joy Richard and husband, Herman; Alicia Nicole Neal; grandchildren, Brandi Neal, Ryan “Chris” Neal, Jr., Mallory Neal, Jarrett Richard, Iman Neal, Kinsey Neal, And Sa’liya Neal; great grandchild, Jayden Neal; and a host of other family and friends. Barbara was born in Memphis, TN on October 20, 1940 and graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1958. She attended Xavier University of Louisiana and graduated with a bachelors degree in Microbiology in 1962. Barbara would work as a Microbiologist for several prestigious institutions such as Barnes-Jewish at Washington University in St. Louis, MO and Walter Reed National Military Hospital in Washington, DC. Family was extremely important to her and she moved back to Memphis to raise her children closer to them. Barbara would spend the majority of her life in Memphis before relocating to New Orleans and then Houston to be closer to her grandchildren. Barbara enjoyed reading the Bible and exploring religion; focusing on the Dead Sea Scrolls, and studying the concepts of the after-life. She loved antique shopping, collecting seashells and everything that had to do with microbiology. Barbara’s greatest passion was being a grandmother. She loved her children dearly, but her grandchildren and great grandchild were absolutely the most important thing in her life. Her favorite prayer was the “Serenity Prayer” and her favorite belief was that she knew everything and now both are true. Barbara will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. A visitation and funeral service for Barbara will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. The visitation will begin at 10:00 am and the service will follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Charles Taylor Sr. officiating. Interment will follow at Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pearland, Texas.