Bertha Jean Neal

Bertha Jean Franklin Neal, age 79, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Jean was a 1963 graduate of Abingdon High School and attended Radford College, now Radford University. She was of the Baptist Faith. She was a paralegal for many years for attorney Jack White and later worked for radio station WABN, in Abingdon.

Jean was very active in the community. She worked to establish White's Mill Foundation, to purchase and restore the historic grist mill. She was a former Kiwanis Club president and, in recent years, served on the board for People Inc., representing the Client Sector.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Delmer and Pearl Minton Franklin, and the father of her son Jason, Jack L. Neal. Jean is survived by her son, Jason L. Neal, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors she considered family.

Honoring Jean’s request, a private memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Abingdon Health & Rehab for their care and kindness during Jean’s stay as well as Dr. Matthew Dye and the ER nursing staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital, for their care and compassion.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.

The family of Bertha Jean Franklin Neal is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.