Obituaries

Betty Joyce McNeal

April 22, 1956 - June 20, 2023

Betty Joyce Cranford McNeal, Age 67, passed away on Tuesday June 20th, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Health due to complications from a Stroke. Betty was born April 22, 1956, in Arcadia, Florida. Her family lived in Wauchula, Florida and moved to Lakeland, Florida in 1964. She held many jobs in her lifetime, like working for the Lakeland Power Plant for 5 years. But working in the Hospitality Industry was what she enjoyed most.
Betty is survived by her Daughters Venus Summers and son-n-law Rey Robles, Melissa Harrison and son-n-law Scott Harrison, Hope Cranford, Her only 2 Granddaughters Chelsea Harrison and Patience Colvin, Her Aunts Janie Arnold, Judy Wilson and Ethlene’s King and several cousins. Her lifetime partner Ron Balentine. And last but not least her pampered Chihuahuas Coco and Lucy, whom she treated like her children. She is preceded in death by her Husband, Jerry McNeal, her mother, Zola Cranford, her father, Thomas Cranford, her Sister Barbara Ramos and her beloved Chihuahua Prissy.
Joyce loved her family, but she treated everyone like family. Her son-n-laws were like her own children and her friends were part of her family. She would do anything to help the people she loved.
There were two things that Joyce loved (other than her puppies) the most. One was the Beach; Anna Maria Island was a personal favorite of hers. And the other was Fishing, she loved fishing off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. She would take her family and fish all night long while her children would sleep in the back of the truck bed. Spending time with her family doing what she loved made her Happy.
Betty’s wishes were to be cremated and to not have a Formal Memorial Service. She always said, “Please don’t make a fuss over me when I am gone, because I am no longer there. I am with my mother, father and sister in Heaven.”
Her ashes will be placed at the Family’s preference at a later time.