WALTERBORO: Mrs. Vera McMillan Neal, widow of the late John Thomas Neal Jr., passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home Saturday morning, July 9, 2022 while under hospice care.  She was 88.

Mrs. Neal was born in Jacksonboro, SC April 27, 1934 a daughter of the late Jacob and Wilmer Fisk McMillan.  She received her B.S. in Education from Lander University, and became a physical education teacher in the public schools of Savannah, GA and later, Colleton County. After the birth of her daughters, she made the decision to be a stay-at-home mother and homemaker, and was actively involved in their school activities and daily lives.  Mrs. Neal went back to work after they became adults, and was a familiar face at the Colleton County Health Department for many years until her retirement. In her golden years she relished the opportunity to practically raise her beloved granddaughters, who affectionately and lovingly called her "Mandy".

Mrs. Neal was an active member of Doctor's Creek Baptist Church, and taught Sunday School, until her health prevented her attendance.  Her favorite pastimes were reading, watching movies and cooking delicious foods.

Mrs. Neal is survived her daughter Sallie Neal, and by her son-in-law Jeff Shearouse.  She has two granddaughters, Hannah Harris (Joe) and Mary Amanda Shearouse (Dillon Walton), as well as two great-granddaughters, Scarlett and Ember Harris.  She leaves behind her sister-in-law Joyce Neal Gentry, as well as a host of extended family she dearly loved.  In addition to her husband, Mrs. Neal was preceded in death by her daughter Johnnie Neal Shearouse.

The family would like to express their love and appreciation to Agape Hospice and the caregivers Terry, Robin and Darius, who so lovingly cared for Mrs. Neal over the last months.

Graveside funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, July 13, 2022 at 9:00 at the Live Oak Cemetery in Walterboro. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 at Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro.