Valeri McNeal, a Maryland Commission on Civil Rights intake officer who helped restore a historic pulpit at her church, died Dec. 12 of complications from a stroke at Future Care of Canton. The West Baltimore resident was 64.
Born Valeri Denise McNeal in Baltimore, she was the daughter of Henry McNeal, a country club worker, and Cecelia Esther Arrington, a teacher and Johns Hopkins Hospital employee. She grew up in Walbrook and was a 1967 graduate of Forest Park High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in urban studies from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Ms. McNeal worked as a paralegal before joining what was then known as the Maryland Commission on Human Relations, now called the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. She was a human relations representative in the investigative unit and later became an intake officer.
"She was a dedicated, valued member of the staff. We miss her already," said Alvin O. Gillard, the commission's executive director.
Nearly 25 years ago, she joined the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore and was one of its leaders. She conducted tours of the historic building, an official city landmark, and assisted in the restoration of the furnishings in its sanctuary.
She stripped old paint from an 1818 pulpit designed by French architect Maximilian Godefroy and constructed by Baltimore furniture maker William Camp. The pulpit was named for William Ellery Channing, who delivered a landmark sermon at the church in 1819.
She worked with Mark West, a fellow church member and professional restorer.
"Valeri was an extremely multidimensional person," said Mr. West, a Baltimore resident. "She gave her all to everything she did. She was interested in history and did a tremendous amount of work in the church archives. She knew as much as anyone about the history of First Unitarian."
She helped bring the pulpit back to its original look and assisted in the re-creation of missing gold-leaf ornaments.
She was at work on the restoration of the Universalist lectern at her death. The lectern was from the old Universalist Church at Guilford Avenue and Lanvale Street, a congregation that later merged with First Unitarian.
"No one was more consistent or devoted than she in supporting the church's activities. It was amazing the number of the church activities she participated in," said Catherine Evans, a friend and fellow church member. "There was not one square inch of the building and property where she did not address her loving attention."
She belonged to the Baltimore City Historical Society and was its secretary and board member as well as a volunteer. She managed the reception table for an annual event the group hosts for the mayor.
Ms. McNeal was the longtime chair of her church's Architectural and Historical Review Committee. She maintained the church's extensive archives and served on its Buildings and Grounds Committee.
Ms. McNeal was a member of Baltimore Heritage and enjoyed taking tours in Ridgely's Delight and parts of downtown Baltimore known for having cast-iron building facades. She was also a member of the African American Quilters of Baltimore and belonged to the American Craft Council. She also gardened and cultivated day lilies. She tended a shrub and perennial garden alongside the Charles Street side of her church.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Unitarian Church, Charles and Franklin streets.
Survivors include a companion of 30 years, James Alan Blake; her sister, Corlis Loney of Nottingham; and a niece, Kenya Smith of Baltimore.