Sara Ann Neal

Sara Ann Chitty Neal, 79, of Leesburg, GA, formerly of Albany, GA, died December 20, 2012 at Lee County Health and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 28, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Albany. Dr. William E. (Butch) Knight, Jr. will officiate. Interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.

A native of Cochran, GA born to Robert and Sally Harrell, Mrs. Neal graduated from Cochran High School and had lived in Albany, GA since 1952 moving from Fitzgerald, GA. She attended Middle Georgia Junior College, graduated from Georgia Teacher's College with a BS Degree in Education, attended Peabody College for Teachers and received her Six Year Specialist Degree from Valdosta State University.

Mrs. Neal taught at Fitzgerald, GA her first year and then moved to the Dougherty County School System and taught in the elementary and gifted program. She taught at Deerfield Windsor School and retired from the Dougherty County School System after forty years of service. She was a dedicated teacher and was known for being outgoing and an interesting and very funny person.

Mrs. Neal was a member of the First Baptist Church of Albany where she was active as a Sunday School Teacher and was active in other areas of the church. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, the Suburban Junior Women's Club and the PEO.

Mrs. Neal first married David Chitty and then later married Ted Neal, both now deceased. She is survived by two grandsons, Eugene R. Jernigan III and his wife, Ashley of Horchton, GA and Andrew D. Jernigan of Albany, GA, her guardian and son-in-law and his wife, Gene and Nona Jernigan of Albany, GA, three step-sons, Ben Neal and his wife, Joy Ann of Albany, GA, Dr. Charles Neal and his wife, Caroline of Wilmington, NC and Dr. Joe Neal of Raleigh, NC, two nephews and their wives, Charles B. and Kay K. Chitty of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Daniel R. and Kathleen R. Chitty of Fayetteville, GA and a niece and her husband, Deane C. and Harold Reher of Ft. Gaines, GA ., sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert A. Harrell, Jr., of Medina, TN, nephew, Thomas Reeves Harrell of San Francisco, CA, nephew, Dr. Robert A. Harrell, III (Dr. Joanne), great nieces, Jordan Harrell Howe (Andrew) and Catherine Harrell, great nephew, Robbie Harrell all of Chapel Hill, NC, niece, Mrs. Kimberly C. Lax (Frankie) and great niece, Anna Caroline of Medina, TN. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Ann Jernigan and a brother, Dr. Robert Harrell, Sr.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Thursday at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make contributions to the First Baptist Church of Albany, 145 Oakland Parkway, Leesburg, GA, 31763.