Naomi Neal entered eternal rest on Thursday, February 5, 2026, surrounded by her children. For 92 years, she lived with a quiet strength that continues to echo through her family, shaping traditions, anchoring faith, and teaching generations what it means to love with consistency and care.

Born on October 7, 1933, Naomi was the daughter of Myrtle and William Maxwell. Her mother passed away during childbirth, and Naomi was lovingly raised by her paternal grandparents, Harvey and Lula Maxwell. Their steady love, guidance, and devotion became her foundation and quietly shaped the woman she would become, strong, grounded, and deeply committed to family.

Naomi built a beautiful life in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she met and married Roy Sylvester Neal, Sr. Together they shared nearly 70 years of marriage and created a home rooted in love, faith, routine, and devotion. Within those walls, Naomi raised her seven children and opened her heart and home to two grandchildren as well, loving them just the same. Her house was rarely quiet, often full, and always cared for. It was the kind of home where everyone knew the rules, felt held by structure, and never doubted they were loved.

Naomi loved her family fiercely and found joy in their laughter, especially when the house was full. She cherished hugs from her grandchildren and great grandchildren, holding on just a little longer whenever she could. While she loved togetherness, she also believed in order. If things got a little too loud, her calm but unmistakable voice would gently say, “Take that noise outside.” It was always said with love, and everyone listened.

She was a proud graduate of the Class of 1952 at James B. Dudley Senior High School and devoted her professional life to caring for children and families through her work with Head Start. Nurturing came naturally to Naomi. It was not simply what she did. It was who she was.

A woman of deep and steady faith, Naomi was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, a community she loved and considered family. Mt. Zion was not simply where she worshiped, but where she served, belonged, and built lasting relationships. She faithfully served on the Usher Board during countless services and found special joy working with the Willing Workers, later serving as president. Her leadership was quiet, reliable, and rooted in simply showing up.

Naomi found comfort in routine and in the simple rhythms of daily life. She faithfully watched The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Price Is Right, and Family Feud. She loved the Dennis the Menace comic strip and looked forward to the puzzle in the Sunday paper. Some weeks she finished it. Some weeks she did not. She loved it just the same. For many years, she looked forward to weekly dinners with Roy, Tony, and Jeannette. Thursdays were reserved for laundry and ironing, even in retirement, because some things were just how Naomi did things.

One of her favorite places was her backyard gazebo, where she enjoyed quiet moments or easy conversation with family and friends, taking in fresh air, calm, and a well earned sense of peace.

Naomi also loved to travel, especially with Roy by her side. She had a deep affection for the beach and found joy in the sound of the waves and comfort in watching the sunrise. She also never passed up a good stop at the outlets. Whether it was a carefully planned getaway or simply talking about the next destination, Naomi carried anticipation and joy wherever she went.

Her home was more than a house. It was a place of gathering, nourishment, and belonging. Sunday dinners were never optional. They were both an expectation and a promise, faithfully kept week after week. Around her table, stories were shared, laughter filled the room, and love was passed from one generation to the next.

Her sweet potato pie, apple cobbler, peach cobbler, potato salad, and collard greens fed far more than bodies. They fed comfort, tradition, connection, and love. These meals were her way of loving her family out loud and remain among her most treasured gifts.

Naomi was the devoted mother of seven children: Roy Neal Jr. (Brenda), Teresa Newman (George), Bilqis Abdul Rashid, Carol Hart (Sammy), William Neal (Cheryl), Chelita Neal, and Terry Neal.

She treasured time with her 13 grandchildren: Katina (Jeffery), Rashidah, Crystal (Edward), Hussain, Chasity (Trevor), Brian, Whitney, Farwah, Sonja, Raushanna (Maurice), Heather, Tara (Rufus), and Sha Reh. Each held a special place in her heart, and she made sure they always knew it.

Some of her greatest joy lived in the hugs she shared with her 22 great grandchildren: Jalil, Cierra, Cayden, Addison, Jennifer, Emerie, Gabriella, Brooke, Milan, Lyric, Trevor, Yazmin, Kyrie, Ari, Zaire, Julius, Saliyah, Ahnia, Jaya, Judan, Citlali, and Journi. Those hugs were warm, steady, and full of love, and they will be felt for years to come.

Her love continues through her two great great grandchildren, Shiloh and Jaziriah, who will grow up knowing her name, her strength, and the love that surrounds it.

Naomi was raised within a large and extended family and was one of many siblings, including Roy, Dewey, Payton, James, Clarence, Jamie, Roxie, Mary, Mozelle, Dorothy, Linda, Brenda, and Janet. Though Lula Bell King and Beatrice Austin were her aunts by relation and have since passed, Naomi regarded them as sisters, having been raised together in the same household.

In addition to the family named above, Naomi leaves behind a host of other relatives, including nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as dear friends, neighbors, church members, and former colleagues, all of whom will forever cherish her memory.

Naomi Neal’s life continues in the ways her family loves, gathers, believes, and cares for one another. It lives in steady routines, full tables, Sunday dinners, shared laughter, and the quiet understanding that love is shown through consistency, presence, and showing up. Her strength was never loud, but it was lasting, and it shaped generations who carry her values forward every day. Though her physical presence is missed, her influence remains deeply woven into the lives she touched, guiding hearts, grounding faith, and reminding all who knew her that a life lived with intention and love never truly leaves.

The funeral service for Naomi Neal will be held on Thursday, February 12 at Mt. Zion AME Church, 1422 Huffine Mill Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405. Family visitation will be held at 11:30 a.m. and the funeral will begin at noon.