Tributes

Ms. Joan Adrienne Williams Neal Hope was born October 9, 1933, at 8:30am on a Monday morning, to Willie E. Williams and Margaret Murphy Williams, in Orlando, FL. She attended elementary school in Edenville, FL. and Jones High School in Orlando, FL. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, she attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee for two years, where she tutored in algebra and sang in the choir. While there, she was chosen "Miss Wow"! She married in 1953 and began traveling with her husband due to military assignments. She traveled to Texas, Kansas, and Germany - twice. She settled in Gainesville, FL with her family in 1965 and moved to Lincoln Estates in 1966. Joan Hope gained employment with the United States Postal Service in 1966, and worked there for 24 years before retiring; 18 of those years were as a Window Clerk. Joan Hope had been an active member of Mt. Olive AME Church approximately 40 -50 years. She had a passion for helping people and was involved in community service. Whether it was volunteering at Alachua County Crisis Center, raising neighborhood children, feeding any and every one (famous for her baked beans), working with a share program and Winn Dixie to distribute food to a church in Porters, passing out samples with that smile, at Publix, or volunteering at Tacachale (formally Sunland Training Center). Joan Hope was a beautiful soul and had a generous loving heart, and would do whatever she could for her family, friends, and strangers. She was always concerned about everyone's well-being, deeply committed to her family, and extremely loyal to her many friends; whom she considered a part of her family. She believed life is what our thoughts make it! Proverbs 23:7. In her earlier years, Joan Hope founded and was a member of The Alton Gospel Singers. She loved working in the yard, watching things grow, bottling hot peppers and vinegar to give away, washing/folding clothes, cooking, and feeding the birds around her home -aka the Bird Lady. She bowled for many years and really enjoyed going out to eat. Her favorite pastimes were going to numerous stores, thrifts shops, flea markets, and especially "Wally World" (Walmart). She also enjoyed watching TV and had a fondness for the Lakers' basketball games, The Gators' football games, investigation, and live talk shows. Joan Adrienne Williams Neal Hope was a woman of strength, always maintaining her beautiful smile and laughter, no matter what life brought her way. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie E. Williams, Margaret Murphy Williams; and daughter, Margaret Michelle Neal Mclean. Joan Hope leaves many who will always love her and cherish memories of her. She is survived by her children; John Lewis Neal, III, Gainesville, FL, Valerie Neal Parker (Kevin), Tampa, FL, Geoffrey Edward Neal (Vici), Killeen, TX; Son in Law, Kevin B. McLean, Sr., Tampa, FL. Grandchildren; John L. Neal, IV (Shelly) Holly Springs, Georgia, Kevin B. McLean, Jr., Tampa, FL, Geoffrey C. McLean, Tampa, FL, Adrienne M. McLean (John), Tampa, FL, Jonathan W. Broner (Melissa), Tampa, FL, Jessica A. Broner, Tampa, FL, Joseph A. Broner, Tampa, FL, Geoffrey C. Neal, Dallas, TX , Dominique Neal, Killeen, TX. Great-grands; Shiloh Neal, Ariel Neal, Amya Broner, Jordan Broner, Brielle Broner, Marcus Neal, Ahni Rae Neal, Noah Neal. Joan A. Hope was the "Other Mother" to Teressa Hill-Reynolds; Godmother to Jennifer Morgan, Rhonda Patrick, Crystal Judkins, Avis Butler, and Nathaniel McKnight; "Nana" to Marlette Carter-Leavell; "Grandma" to Detective Kevin Allen, Keisha McArthur and children. Her devoted and close friends - Barbara Womack, Rose and James Turk, Paul Clemons from Orlando, Fl. (friends for 83+ years), Patricia Wright, Eva Bradshaw, Emily Hoon and Rob Martin, Elder Geraldine Modican, Sr. Pastor of Jesus is the Light Christian Center, Judy Lambert, Mattie Peoples, Trudy Jones, and Rose Lightfoot, Atlanta, GA; Her adopted family, John Morgan, Sr. (deceased), Mary Morgan (wife), John, Jr, Byron, and Jennifer Morgan. She loved and cared for many cousins and friends from Orlando, Gainesville, Tampa, and Georgia. Thank you to cousins David (Shirley) Clayton, Rashawnn Brookins, Muriel Leek Barr and close friend Gertha Shaw Crawford for coming to visit her; cousins Myra Clayton, Vernon (Linda) Sylvia, and Judith Alston Stokes who frequently called to check on her; Thank you to those who couldn't come or were not mentioned, but held her in your heart. She loved all of you. The Family of Joan A. Hope would like to thank you for sharing our sorrow, and uplifting us with heartfelt prayers of comfort, phone calls, cards, and your presence.

Tributes

Mrs. Joan Adrienne Williams Neal Hope

October 9, 1933 - January 30, 2025