Eugenia Joann Sweeney

Mrs. Eugenia JoAnn Sweeney, transitioned from this earthly life to eternal life on Thursday, January 20 2022.

A phenomenal woman, minister, mother, grandmother, singer, and violinist has quietly left our midst. Minister Eugenia JoAnn Sweeney made her transition from life to eternal rest on January 18, 2022. On January 19, 1954, Eugenia was the fourth of five children born to the union of the late James Sweeney, Jr., and the late Elsie Bell Sweeney.


Eugenia has been a hardworking woman on her Christian journey. She gave her life to Christ at an early age and united with First Baptist Church South Inglewood under the leadership of Rev. Thomas E. Sweeney, Sr. where she faithfully served in the choir for many years. During her journey, she became a Minister and had left her servant mark at Temple Baptist Church and Cornerstone Baptist Church. In 2019, she closed her Christian journey circle by regaining her membership where she started it at First Baptist South Inglewood under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Napoleon Harris, V. As an Associate Minister at her Church, she worked out her soul salvation until her death where she taught, preached, lived through the word of God, and faithfully followed her Pastor’s leadership.


JoAnn was a graduate of Pearl High School’s Class of 1972 as well as Miss Pearl High that year. She also was a graduate of TSU’s School of Nursing. She was well known for her beautiful singing voice. Her many other talents and skills included acting, writing plays, writing music, and recently writing and publishing her first novel “The Hills of Westchester”. She also took pride in playing her prize violin in the Youth Symphony, Nashville Symphony, and her beloved Cremona Strings Ensemble. But, with all that talent, her first love was her work for the Lord.


On February 1, 1976, Eugenia was united in matrimony to Michael Kevin Neal, Sr. and to this union two sons were born.


In addition to her late parents, Eugenia was preceded in death by two brothers, Edgar and David Sweeney. She leaves to cherish her memories her sons Michael (Narkieta) Neal, Jr. and Chauncey (Shamota) Neal; siblings, Dr. James (Pamela) Sweeney, III and Dorris Thomas Sweeney; 7 grandchildren, Michael, III, Nathan and Michiah Neal, Elijah, Isaiah, and Paris Neal and Kamaya Stratford; sister-in-law, Sonya Sweeney; uncle, Owsley Sweeney, aunts, Peggy Bowers and Lettie Jean Walker; devoted ex-sister-in-law, Bonetta Bond; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.