Nona (Floyd) Neal

Nona Floyd Neal

WOODRUFF-- Nona Jean Floyd Neal, 89, of Switzer-Green Pond Road passed away peacefully Sunday, November 17, 2024, at McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville, SC.

A native of Woodruff, she was the wife of the late Norris Lowell Neal, Sr., daughter of the late Clayton Miles Floyd and Kathleen McLean Floyd, and great-niece of the late James Denny Darby and Cora Crim Darby (“Auntie”). She was a member of Green Pond Baptist Church, where she began attending when she was only one year old. She attended Woodruff High School, Limestone College and Cecil's Business College. She had been employed part-time with the Workman Peach Shed and Bunny Bread, Inc., full-time with the Credit Bureau in Greer, and retired in 1998 after 29 years as a paraprofessional with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program of the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.

In her career, Mrs. Neal taught many 4-H youth groups and homemakers how to sustain their health through good nutrition and manage their household food budgets. Each year she reached 600-700 youth and worked with over 50 volunteers all over Spartanburg County. She also provided nutrition education to preschoolers through an EFNEP grant.

Her co-workers described her as “having a flair for being creative” and as having programs that were “always polished and well-delivered.” The youth and families with which she worked were motivated to eat better and enjoy food preparation. As the daughter of a farmer herself, she always made sure they understood the importance of farming to our food supply and where their food came from. She also assisted in designing and developing award-winning displays representing EFNEP in the Spartanburg County Fair.

Mrs. Neal grew up on Hillcrest Farm in the Green Pond community and was involved in farming all of her life until her health declined. As a 4-H Club member, parent and grandparent, 4-H was a major focus of her life. She was the national 4-H Club winner in Food Preservation, winning a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, Illinois, in 1952. She was also crowned Miss Woodruff High that year, representing the senior class in the competition. In addition to those accolades, she was chosen to represent Woodruff High in the Miss High Miss contest sponsored by Winthrop College. She was the feature editor for her high school newspaper and later enjoyed attending many high school class reunions with her friends.

Mrs. Neal was active in the Cattlewomen’s Association, Master Gardeners, Farm Bureau Federation and Green Pond Baptist Church.

She is survived by her devoted daughter, Kathleen Neal (Steven) Mason of Raleigh, N.C., her beloved granddaughter, Brittny Caroline (Mario) Flynn and the apple of her eye, her great-grandson, Makai Amari Flynn. She was predeceased by her husband and childhood sweetheart, Norris Lowell Neal Sr. and her son, Philip Lowell Neal. She was lovingly known as “Nanny” by Brittny, Mario and Kai, and played an active role in their lives. Her home will always be the family homeplace and a comfort to all who feel her presence there. Her family and extended family and friends will miss her very much but celebrate her life on earth and the light she brings to the life beyond.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Lanford-Gwinn Mortuary.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Green Pond Baptist Church by Dr. David Boyter, graveside service by Dr. Dick Williams. Interment will follow in Green Pond Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Green Pond Rural Alliance, 1421 Waddell Road, Woodruff, SC 29388

The family is at the residence.

Lanford-Gwinn Mortuary

Woodruff