Nekko Beal

Nekko Monee´ Beal was born on May 10, 1997 in Cincinnati, Ohio to her mother Nichole Beal and father Terry Lamount Alexander.

Raised by her mother alongside her sister, Tatijhana Beal, who Nekko affectionately referred to as Moose Knuckle Cooter Biscuit, Nekko grew up surrounded by love, resilience and determination. During her younger years, she faced hardships, including periods of food and housing insecurity. Even so, she witnessed her mother’s remarkable journey from high school dropout to GED recipient, college graduate, and homeowner. That example of perseverance became a guiding light in Nekko’s life and inspired her to move forward with strength, purpose, and grace.

During her school years, Nekko earned excellent grades and participated in several sports, including softball, volleyball, and basketball. Although she attended many schools throughout her formative years, she was a proud graduate of Newport High School. Many of the friends she made at Newport are still some of her most cherished friends.

After high school, Nekko attended Morehead State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. At Morehead, her personality shined in every space she entered. She loved the outdoors and could often be found working on a farm, hiking, or heading to the lake after class. She founded the Eagle Empire Student Prep Club to bring more engagement, energy and excitement to school sports and, in 2017, was named Morehead State University’s Homecoming Queen, becoming the first Black woman to receive that honor in the school’s 95-year history. Nekko also became a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and shared her love of music as a member of the college’s Black Gospel Ensemble. She had a special gift for bringing people together, and the diverse circle of friends she built there quickly became family.

After graduating from Morehead, Nekko began her professional career at Procter & Gamble (P&G), where she worked as a Value Stream Analyst in procurement. Even there, her creativity found room to grow. She developed a love for marketing and for creating promotional videos, not only for P&G, but for other businesses and organizations as well. Never one to stop growing, she also earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Northern Kentucky University during this season of her life. Along the way, she built the kind of friendships that lasted – connections rooted in laughter, loyalty, and love.

Most recently, Nekko was employed at Proximo Spirits as an Import MPS Manager. She enjoyed the challenge of her work, but what she loved most was the opportunity to grow, connect, and explore. Through Proximo, she was able to travel to Mexico, which only deepened her love for the culture, language, and new experiences.

Nekko loved life out loud. She pursued her passions (and the artist J. Cole) vigorously. She expressed herself boldly and beautifully in so many ways. She coached the Newport Wildcats middle school volleyball team. She played linebacker for the Cincinnati Cougars, a women’s professional football team, and founded NM Photography, where she captured the people, places, and memories she held close. She loved music, fashion, makeup, sports, and culture, and she carried herself with a style all her own. She was also deeply passionate about human rights, Black women, and mental health, and she showed up for what she believed in through marches, rallies, and real community engagement. Nekko was a trendsetter, a creative, and a woman who was never afraid to be fully herself.

As her relationship with God deepened, she joined Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, where she found peace in her faith. Whether she was traveling, creating, laughing with loved ones, or simply enjoying the moment, Nekko knew how to make life feel full.

Through her father, Terry, Nekko had 12 additional siblings. While she did not have the opportunity to meet all of them, she was grateful to build a special bond with her brother, Ade Alexander, and her sister, Asia Alexander. The love and connection they shared brought her great joy and became a cherished part of her life.

Nekko found tremendous joy in being an aunt to her nephews, Jordan, twins Kaisen and Inosuke, and Amarise; and nieces, Amara and Amris. She loved celebrating them, spoiling them with gifts, and making sure they felt special every chance she got. She was a devoted aunt, a loving daughter, a proud sister, a cherished niece, granddaughter, cousin, and a loyal friend.

One of Nekko’s greatest gifts was her ability to make people feel comfortable, seen, and welcome. She attended every wedding, baby shower and birthday party she was invited to. She styled her little cousins for their Homecomings and Proms. She took her mom and aunt to old school concerts. She regularly scheduled brunches to spend one on one time with her friends and family. She cooked Christmas dinner and hosted ‘galentines’ parties. There was no occasion too big or too small for Nekko to celebrate. The love she gave so freely came back to her in the many deep and lasting relationships she built throughout her life.

Nekko was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Wilma Darlene Beal, her paternal grandmother, Samaria Alexander; and her great grandparents William and Georgia Ann Beal and Nicholas and Felicia Neblett.

Nekko leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Nichole; her father, Terry; her sisters, Tatijhana and Asia; her brother, Ade; her nephews, Jordan, Kaisen, Inosuke and Amarise; her nieces Amara and Amris; her grandparents, Norman and Annette Neblett; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will miss her tremendously.

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