Beverly Joanne Neal, 89, of Lake Charles, passed away at 10:12 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in a local hospice facility.

Joanne was born on Dec. 30, 1934, in Chester, S.C., to the late Bernice Wilson Darby and Woodrow Lee Darby.  Her grandparents raised her until she was 11, when she moved to Lancaster, S.C., with her mother.  They then moved to Rock Hill, S.C., where she graduated from Rock Hill High School and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She was captain of the girls’ basketball team and received the Roberts Trophy for Athlete of the Year in 1952.  

She worked at Celanese Corporation and M. Lowenstein and Sons as a secretary and accountant and for the senator of York County for several years as a legal secretary.  In 1974, she was offered employment at Winthrop University as secretary to the Comptroller.  Her classification changed several times over the years to account receivables, accountant, and assistant to the Comptroller.  Joanne helped students with their registration, financial aid, problems they had with their accounts, and their scholarships.  

Joanne’s passions extended beyond her professional life. She was a proud member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church and attended Bible Study Fellowship for eight years. She enjoyed making shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and was a member of the Order of St. Luke for several years. She was an avid sports fan, passionately supporting her favorite teams: the Clemson Tigers, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Rangers. Her love for country-western music, particularly George Strait, was infectious. She shared her joy by teaching line dancing classes in her spare time. 

Those left to cherish her memory are daughter Donna Neal Self and husband Malcolm; grandsons, Robert Self of Lake Charles and Daniel Self and wife Lauren and great-granddaughter Lily of Virginia Beach, Va. In addition to her family, she leaves behind her dear friends and dedicated caregivers, Royia and Larry Bell and Marianne and Paul White, who provided her with love and support.  

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Harbor Hospice for the excellent care they gave Joanne while she was there.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in the Johnson Funeral Home chapel at 4321 Lake Street.  The Rev. Andrew Christiansen will officiate.  Inurnment will follow at St. Michael and All Angels for family and those wishing to attend.  A gathering will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until the start of the service.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.