Betty Ruth McNeal's Obituary
Betty Ruth Wiggins McNeal, a long-time resident of East Orange, NJ, passed away on July 3, 2025 after an illness.
Betty was born in Franklin County, NC to the late Sallie Harris Wiggins and Linwood Wiggins and was the third of eleven children, two girls and nine boys. Betty enjoyed a life of 88 years during which she fed her spirit for knowledge and justice, nurtured others, and loved her family wholeheartedly.
Betty earned her high school diploma from Spaulding High School in Nash County, NC. In 1960, she met and married Willie Frank McNeal and in 1962, the couple relocated from Raleigh, NC to East Orange, NJ. Together they were blessed with one son, Derrick, who was devoted to his mother and of whom she was immensely proud.
For several years Betty was employed at Clara Mass Medical Center (Newark, NJ) as a dietary worker. In 1972 she became a paraprofessional with the East Orange School System, where she worked for twenty four years. In 1991, Betty enrolled in Essex Country College to continue her education graduating with an Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education.
She then earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from New Jersey City University after which she taught special needs students in the Newark Public Schools until her retirement. Betty was a broad-minded and assertive woman. She participated in the civil rights movement and supported the Poor People's Campaign, including traveling to Washington DC in the Spring of 1968 to protest for economic justice and the end of the Vietnam War.
One of the highlights of her life was meeting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Betty helped organize the low wage workers at Clara Mass Hospital which was the first hospital in New Jersey to recognize a union, Local 1199 Drugs and Hospital Union. She also served on the negotiation team that sought to include paraprofessionals in the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and later as a union representative.
Betty's family attended Rocky Chapel Baptist Church in Franklin County, NC, and there she gave her heart to the Lord. She was also a member of Bright Hope Baptist Church in Montclair, NJ and served with the ushering ministry. She later joined Imani Baptist Church in Christ of East Orange, NJ and was until her passing a faithful and contributing member who held many leadership roles: Chairperson of the Trustee Ministry, Chairperson of Wisdom's Children, and Treasurer of the Women's Ministry.
Betty was a kindhearted, cheerful, but frank, woman who enjoyed life. Her interests included studying the Bible, gospel music, bingo, card games, and gardening. She played in several bowling leagues over the years, and has been known to occasionally ride a bicycle. Betty also enjoyed learning new information, listening to Derrick share his travels, joking with her brother Linwood, and spending time with her grandchildren, other family, and friends.
For many years, she was joint caretaker of her brother Alco. She shared a special closeness with her little sis, Patricia, though years and miles apart.
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