Gennie McNeal

Gennie McNeal was born on April 6, 1921 in Grambling, Louisiana to Billy McNeal and Sarah Dean, the oldest of several siblings. Gennie accepted Christ at an early age and attended church. Gennie enlisted and joined the Army and was stationed in England, Scotland and France from 1942-1945. He was very proud of his service although he didn’t want to talk about it much. He moved to California being discharged from the service. He married Stevie Crawford in 1946 and they welcomed a daughter, Gwendolyn. He later welcomed a son, Stanley Lee. Being a proud family man, he would take yearly trips to Monroe, Louisiana to visit with his brothers, sisters and many nieces and nephews. Gennie encouraged several brothers to come to California to live and they would go on and build their lives with families of their own. Gennie worked several jobs through the years; he was at Southern Pacific for 23 years, several years working security at Eastmont Mall and 15 years at Oakland Technical High School or “Techs” as he called it, as a maintenance supervisor until he retired in 1985. While at Tech, he met many students over the years and encouraged them to stay in school including a young Rickey Henderson. A sharp dresser, Gennie prided himself on his appearance. He was famous for saying “my mother should have stopped with me, I’m the prettiest of all of her children”. Mind you, he said this with confidence right in front of his brothers! Always a sports fan, Gennie liked the both Oakland A’s and the SF Giants. He would listen to one ball game on his transistor radio and watch another one on TV. He liked to watch the SF 49ers, especially since we have a cousin who played, Fred Dean. He was also a fan of the Oakland Raiders. In his spare time, he loved to play dominoes with his brothers. Those game weekends were filled with insults, laughing, and yelling in the only way that a family can. There wasn’t a Saturday morning you wouldn’t see him wiping down both cars and maintaining the landscape at the house in Oakland on Morcom. While doing this, he would chat with all his neighbors. As a committed member of the community, he gave back through the church and the Masons. Gennie was a deacon at Beebe Memorial in Oakland until moving to Antioch. He also served as a deacon at Stewart CME Church in Pittsburg. In his final days, he was lovingly cared for by his son Stanley, grandson Damani, nephew Anthony, and brothers, Linton and Willie. On October 19, 2024, the Lord called home one of His most faithful servants. A loving family he leaves behind to cherish his memory: Daughter Gwendolyn Perry of Elk Grove, CA, son Stanley Lee of Antioch, CA, granddaughter Ronnique (Raymond) Crider of Woodland Hills, CA, granddaughter Keilan-Joli Gilliam of Suisun, CA, grandson Damani Gilliam of Fairfield, brothers Linton (Barbara) McNeal of Manteca and Willie (Gwen) McNeal of Richmond, CA and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

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Gennie McNeal

April 6, 1921 - October 19, 2024