Josephine Jackson Neal of Columbia, SC, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew her best.
Josephine held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
What is held in faith is rarely lost.
Marietta Josephine Jackson (Josephine) was born to Rev. Dr. Roswell Francis Jackson, Sr.
and Mrs. Frances Lucille (Riley) Jackson on June 23, 1941 in Atlanta, Georgia. She spent the
beginning of her youth being raised on the family farm in Madison, Georgia by her paternal
grandparents, William and Gertrude (Cheney) Jackson. Josephine eventually moved back to
Atlanta to become a part of a family that included her parents and her brothers, Roswell Francis
Jackson, Jr. and Dwight McCauley Jackson. Josephine graduated Booker T. Washington High
School in 1957.
Upon high school graduation, Josephine entered Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She
graduated Spelman in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Later she would also obtain a
Master's degree in Education from Atlanta University.
Josephine eventually moved to Columbia, South Carolina to become an elementary school
teacher in Richland School District One at Carver Elementary School and then to Belvedere
Elementary School (Virginia Pack) where she spent the bulk of her professional life. She
married Rev. James P. Neal, Jr of Columbia South Carolina. They would produce two children,
James P. Neal, III (1966) and Monica R. Neal (1968). During Josephine's career, she also
taught at Crane Creek Elementary School. She was an avid proponent of education and
supporting the development of community youth.
In Columbia, SC, Josephine was a member of Antioch Baptist Church, Gill Creek Baptist
Church, Union Baptist Church, and Rehoboth Baptist Church. During her time at Union Baptist
Church, she served as Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, past President of the Missionaries,
member of the Matron's Ministry, and former Parliamentary of the Gethsemane Woman's
Auxiliary. She was also an active member of the Highland Park neighborhood association.
Josephine was a part of civil rights activism throughout her life. She enjoyed the performing
arts, tennis, reading, listening to music, cooking and providing love to her children.
Josephine Jackson Neal leaves to mourn and celebrate her life, two children: James P. Neal, III
(Tysons Corner, Virginia); Monica R. Neal (Atlanta, Georgia); her brother Roswell F. Jackson,
Jr. (Teaneck, New Jersey) and his family; and numerous external family members as well as a
host of loving friends and associates.
In place of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to
https://www.spelman.edu/giving/
Donation · Spelman College · GiveCampus
