Scharlie Pearl Lawson Neal

Scharlie Pearl Lawson Neal, longtime resident of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2021, at the age of 90. She attended Southern Methodist University for several years before beginning her in home child care for over 30 years. Scharlie was known for her kindness and loving heart for the hundreds of children she cared for. She was a Charter member of Broadmoor Methodist Church, where she spent numerous hours volunteering at the church garage sales, and also a member of Eastern Star. She volunteered for the election polls, where she was clearly the favorite and asked to return year after year. She enjoyed spending time with her only granddaughter, whom she was extremely proud of, while watching her grow up, dance, and cheer. She was so proud of her son flying jets in the Navy and the trips she went on with him flying commercial jets, she always felt safe knowing he was her pilot. Scharlie loved shopping with her daughter which included the Canton Flea Market twice a year in Jackson, MS. Some of her favorite things included: getting her hair done every week, spending time with her two great grandchildren and spoiling them on holidays, eating out with family and friends, going to Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parades- trying to see how many beads she can put around her neck and not fall over, and would grin ear to ear when she would see John on the float and he would throw beads to her! She loved collecting cookbooks and measuring cups and enjoyed cooking her famous roast for her family and friends. She loved red roses, which her son would send to her every Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Scharlie loved to travel and went to Europe twice, once with her daughter-in-law and the other with her daughter and granddaughter. Her other favorite place was Disney, where she would go every year for her birthday with her family and ride all the rides. For her 90th birthday she road Soarin 10 times because her daughter wanted her too and was even brave enough to ride the new Galaxy’s Edge and Avator ride without hesitation! She loved country music, her and her husband Jim were avid Willie Nelson fans, attending numerous concerts back in the day. She looked forward to her daughter-in-law hosting holiday celebrations, which included cooking family recipes from both sides of the family. Scharlie was an avid LSU fan, always enjoyed tailgating with her family and traveling to Wisconsin by train to see them play. She was truly a joy to be around, her son-in-law called her a “fun lady” . She would “tolerate” him joking with her and her daughter would tell her to act her age, 90 not 100. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her children, Julie Neal Maryman (James) and John Alexander Neal (Anna); grandchild, Lauryn Neal Poche (Joseph); and great grandchildren, Dominique Leslie Nardi and Alexandra Grace Poche.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Jimmie Ray Neal; and parents, Charlton C. Lawson and Pearl Beeson Lawson. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 4 pm – 7 pm, and will continue on Saturday, from 12 pm until time of funeral service at 2 pm. Burial will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be John Neal, James Maryman, Joseph Poche, Martin Sziber, Darrell Daigle, Joey Ordoyne, Bart Kennedy, and Steve Vutera. Family would like to extend a special thanks to her longtime physician, Dr. Gerald Barber, her cardiologist, Dr. Carl Luikart, and her special friend Les at Disney for over 25 years of fun memories. Please visit www.greenoaksfunerals.com to leave condolences to the Neal family.