Barbara Kim Neal

Barbara Kim (McAvoy) Neal, age 74, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on July 12th.  

Barbara was truly one of a kind, a woman whose love and kindness touched everyone she met. Love poured out of her in everything she did. While her greatest joy was raising her daughters, Kelly and Tiffany, she shared that same unconditional love with so many others. She was so proud of her grandchildren, Porter, Avery, and Daniel, who brought her endless joy.  

Barbara was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Chicago, a city she loved dearly and always missed.  

She shared an extraordinary love story with her husband, Danny Neal, who was by her side for her last breath. She was always so proud of her Danny, her “boyfriend,” and their love was an example to everyone who knew them. She loved him so much that she followed him all over the United States, even to places she swore she would never move to, leaving each city a better place filled with cherished memories and friendships.  

Barbara had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, heard, and welcomed, always putting others’ needs before her own. She made every holiday feel magical, birthdays, Christmas, Easter, every moment made brighter by her warmth and thoughtful touches. Her love language was acts of kindness, and nothing showed that more than her incredible cooking. She was famous for showing up with countless delicious dishes, even when she wasn’t supposed to bring anything, each one made with so much love you could taste it.  

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Danny Neal; her daughters, Kelly Street (husband Tyler) and Tiffany Neal; her cherished grandchildren, Porter, Avery, and Daniel; and her sister, Chere Conn.  

She was preceded in death by her mother, Dottie McAvoy; her mother-in-law, Oneeda Neal; her brother-in-law, Gary Neal; and her grandparents, Harry and Norma Hennis.  

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support during this time, as well as the doctors, nurses, and staff at UK Good Samaritan Hospital for the amazing care and love they gave Barbara.  

A celebration of her life will be held at Clark Legacy Center (Nicholasville) on July 26th. The service will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a celebration of life following. There will also be another celebration of her life in Chicago the weekend of September 5th with additional details to come.  

Her legacy of love, devotion, and the warmth she poured into every meal and every heart will live on in all who were blessed to know her.