In Forever Loving Memory

Johanna Ecksteen Neal-Garrett, 70, went to glory Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in San Diego, California.  Johanna was born August 6, 1953, in Tacoma, Washington, the third child of John & Geraldine Neal.  Johanna was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Billie Owens.

What can be said about a woman so sweet? Too much to contain here yet, we will share some.  Johanna Garrett, lovingly called mom, grandma, Jo, and JoJo was raised in Vallejo, CA. She lived in many places with her family growing up, multiple cities in the United States and several overseas to include Germany. Johanna went to school in Vallejo and graduated from Vallejo, Sr. High. Not long after graduation she worked in the Civil Service for a total of 46 years as a Budget Analyst. She entered the Army Reserve, graduated with her bachelor’s degree and was also a registered tax preparer (CRTP). Johanna had a knack for numbers, details and spreadsheets, excel was one of her main go to programs.

In 1995 Johanna met her love, Nelson Garrett, and in 2004 the two became one and married. With long car trips, train rides and weekend get-a-ways, they forged a life together and made plans to return to Northen California after her retirement to be closer to family. Between all their family and friends, they supported each other by always being there for each other no matter what the circumstances.  As much as Johanna’s immediate family and friends loved her, so did Nelson’s family and friends.  Her love of people won over many and encouraged good and long relationships together.

Johanna was a quiet beauty, yet she loved to have a great time with music, dancing, and laughter.  She loved to read, watch movies, and listen to her favorite artist, Luther Vandross (and some hip-hop).  She loved sports, she was an avid 49er fan, the Lakers were her favorite basketball team, and Serena was her favorite tennis player. She loved getting together for Family Reunions & BBQ’s and loved playing games such as cards (spades, bid-whisk), dominoes and ten thousand and she was very competitive!

There wasn’t anyone she met, helped, or came across who did not fall in love with her.  Jo did not always like to take pictures, but whenever the 5 siblings came together, she was always willing to take some. We were lovingly referred to as the ‘Fab 5’.

She had one daughter, Tela Ratre’ Anderson-McElveen.  Her very life existed for Tela, she loves her beyond measure and would travel, help, and go through for her baby girl.  She raised Tela (and with the help of her family) was very proud of her.  Johanna was there for Tela as she began her family and marriage to Tony (and before).  Johanna loved family, her husband, daughter & son-in-love, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews & cousins.

Johanna’s sweet loving kindness and joyous memory will continue with us all, and she will be tremendously missed especially by her husband, Nelson (the entire Garrett family & friends), daughter Tela (Tony), sister’s Gaynelle & Fatima (Barry) brother; John R. grandchildren: Stephon & Taliyah; nieces; Kameelah, Kenyatta, Delores, Paulette. nephews; Labron & Dadrian; special daughter, Irma Henry, and special grandson Khyree Randall. Other children: Nelson Garrett, II, Quentrell, Tamisha; (Bonus brother Lovell Owens (Rhonda) & sisters Jeri (Overton) & Jan (Nathan).    A wonderful host of cousins (Sherri Woods), great-nieces & nephews, amazing friends, co-workers and many more.