Obituary of Fannie E. Neblett

Fannie E. Neblett Sunrise: May 24, 1937 | Sunset: March 24, 2022 Fannie Elizabeth Neblett was born in Brooklyn, New York at Cumberland Street Hospital on May 24, 1937 to the late Charles B. and Theresa Nesbit. She was one of eight siblings and enjoyed the days of her youth during the 1950s. Fannie attended and graduated from Public School 93 and Girls High School in 1955. The Nesbits lived in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn until the death of her father, Charles, after which her mother, Theresa, moved the family to St. Albans, New York. Throughout all her life, Fannie has had a warm, welcoming spirit, and even in later years was known to appreciate joyous social gatherings with long term friends and loved ones. Early in her career, Fannie worked as both a legal secretary and a real estate broker. This sparked her deep passion and commitment for real estate as her life’s mission, prompting her decision to go into the industry full time working for a local agency. Fannie married her first husband, Ronald Brockett, but the marriage later dissolved and produced no children. Her second marriage was to Peter G. Neblett, and this union produced one child, Dionicio A. Neblett, born on November 29, 1977. Though Peter and Fannie would ultimately part ways, she and Dio continued to build a comfortable life in Hempstead, Long Island. Following years of helping local families become homeowners, she would eventually open her own company, Neblett Realty. Her legal expertise proved beneficial in her realty deals, especially as she helped both landlords and tenants with their housing issues in District Court. After over 10 years in business, Fannie ended her first entrepreneurial endeavor in order to work with another local firm, Dee Fortune Realty, owned by Jimmie Davis. The agency had a very successful run working in partnership with Fannie, who had a great influence on future home buyers around the city. Jimmie Davis has remained a successful broker and also a reliable friend to Fannie and her family. In 2004 Fannie’s son, Dio, returned to New York after graduating from Howard University and working several years in telecommunications in Washington, D.C. At that time, she found the inspiration to start her next venture, Panache Real Estate, with his help and business acumen. For more than 10 years, she built Panache into an enterprising business, working alongside Dio and their staff of agents until her retirement in 2014. Though officially retired, she was known to mentor agents and brokers with her depth of real estate knowledge, and access to professionals in her network. Fannie continued to build a life with friends and colleagues in Hempstead, residing with her son, Dionicio, and her younger brother, Bernard. She lovingly chose to act as Bernard’s caregiver for several years until July 2021 when it became apparent that she would need to concentrate more on her own mounting health challenges after being hospitalized. She would fight for eight more months, returning home for almost three of those months before being readmitted to long term care as she fought for her life. Her final days at home were comfortable and serene, watching her favorite movies (which, of course, included her favorite singing actress, Barbara Streisand!), enjoying time with Dio, and encouraging Bernard to talk more socially as she’s always done. The precious bond between the three of them illustrate a life filled with love, companionship and familial support. Fannie departed this life on March 24, 2022. She is survived by her devoted and loving son, Dionicio, her sister, Bernice Gordon, and her brother Bernard Nesbit, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Fannie was preceded in death by her siblings Marva (Douglas) Ragland, Leonard (Doris) Nesbit, Walter (Ida) Nesbit, Charles Nesbit Jr., Maryanne Nesbit and other beloved relatives. Fannie will be cherished in memory by all of her family, friends and colleagues.