Joan Allene Neel

Joan was born to John and Allene Lockaby, in Tampa, Florida on December 12, 1940. She was the sister of three siblings to whom she introduced the love of the beach, baking of sweets, and Sunday dinners together after church at their mother’s home. She graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1958 and then attended Hillsborough Community College and Florida College from 1973-1977. She was known across the United States as the Secretary to the Director of Public Relations, Henry Pickup Sr. & Jr. at Florida College, but later retired as a Communication Specialist for the United States Postal Service.

In her free time, Joan loved being with her large, extended family; attending grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s events; solving word puzzles; creating flower arrangements; and, worshiping with the Church of Christ. You could also find her sewing, reading, or simply decorating something. Joan was known to travel with the Florida College “Friends” group and would always be found courtside, cheering on the Falcons at basketball games. One of her greatest joys was the beach and she never turned away a seashell given by her grandchildren.

Known for her listening ears, compassionate spirit and kind, encouraging words, Joan never met a stranger. She became not only a friend to most, but a mother to many. Her children remember waiting for her after church or any event until everyone was gone. She was often teased about needing to stay and turn out the street lights. She was a woman full of wisdom and always reminded others to tell the truth and pray about it, pray about everything! She always mentioned she would be ready to go Home and meet her Maker when He deemed her work on Earth was done.

Joan is survived by her two daughters, Glenna (Derek) Blue, Vicki (Michael) Relyea; granddaughters, Laryssa Neel, Michaela (Jacob) Gambrel, Victoria (Jesse) Relyea, Brandi Kim, Lynda Relyea; grandsons, Brien Kim, Landon (Jamie) Relyea, Michael (Hondrey) Relyea; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Logan, Jacob, Elizabeth, Cailynn, Brantley, Jaxson, Amelia, Azai. Joan’s last surviving sibling is Laura Jeanne Lockaby Floyd. Also surviving are many loving lifelong friends including Eleanor Miller, Carolyn Nunez Lossing, Charles Michael Miller, and Janette Winton. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Johnny; sister, Jayne, and Glenn Neel.

Pallbearers will be Landon Relyea, Michael Relyea, Brien Kim, Jesse Thorne, Jacob Wilson, and Hondrey Noda. Honorary Pallbearers are Logan Flannery, Jacob Gambrel, and Brantley Relyea.

A funeral service for Joan will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida. Interment to follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery, Tampa, Florida. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.