Neta Joyce Gannaway

Neta Joyce Gannaway, 93, went to be with her heavenly father on March 11, 2026, in Shallotte, North Carolina.

A native of Winnsboro, Texas Neta was born on September 19, 1932, to Henry Guthrie and Opal Swords Guthrie. She set off to make her way in the world at a young age demonstrating her strong independent spirit. In 1951, she met and married Jack Gannaway on May 18. Jack was in the US Navy, and they lived in Portland where their first son Steven was born. After a stint in Los Angeles, they settled in Dallas where their second son Richard was born.

She began her decades long career with IBM in Dallas as a switchboard operator and stayed with them through her retirement from the Tyler office as an Administrative Manager in Human Resources in 1986. Life in Dallas revolved around her family and career until Jack's retirement in 1984 when they built their log cabin on Lake Winnsboro. Returning to her hometown she enjoyed many years of fishing, gardening, traveling, nurturing lifelong friendships and doting on her grandchildren.

Neta was an active member of First Baptist Church in Winnsboro serving on the hospitality committee, Sunday School teacher and Grief Share coordinator. She and Jack also volunteered with Meals on Wheels for many years. Neta moved to Shallotte in 2022.

Her surviving family will miss her terribly, son Richard and daughter-in-law Liz, daughter-in-law Shelly, grandchildren Amanda, Gordon, Carey (Austin) and Rick (Sarah) and great-grandchildren Connor, Hayes and Hollis, and many nieces and nephews.

Neta was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved granddaughter Jody, husband Jack, son Steve, brothers James (Buddy) Guthrie and Gary English.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Coastal Pointe and Amedisys for their compassionate care and love.

Services will be held on April 4 at 2pm at the First Baptist Church in Winnsboro, Texas. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at the church.

White Funeral and Cremation Service, Shallotte Chapel and Beaty Funeral Home, Winnsboro, Texas are honored to be assisting the family.