I'm writing this obituary to prevent my children from going through as much heart ache as possible. I know they are not ready to lose me and I want to help with the process. I asked Faith some years ago if she wanted me to write my obituary when she was telling me about how her best friend was having a hard time writing the obituary for her grand-mother, and she told me yes, please. So I'm honoring my word. I wrote it then, but my computer crashed, and I lost everything. So now I'm starting from scratch again. Today is Monday, September 08, 2014. I was born December 20, 1952 in Greensboro, NC. I was a Christmas baby and the first of my siblings to actually be born in a hospital. I attended Bluford Elementary, Lincoln Jr. High and Dudley Sr. High School. I then went to Livingstone College. I didn't decide to go to college until I saw some of my friends get accepted and decided if they can go, so can I. I knew my parents couldn't afford to send me, so I hadn't thought about it. But I applied to several, got accepted at several places and decided to go there with my friends. I had a great college experience which I later called my play life. I was always very active in school and college. I pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1973 as a sophomore and that began a lifetime of friendships which carries on until today. I know some people don't believe in sororities; they think we worship them. Well, I only worship Jesus Christ the Lord of whom I would be nothing without Him. My Sorbrs do so as well. I accepted Him into my life when I was 13 years old. I worked my way through college by working at the IRS and later was hired by them full time upon graduation from college. After 3 years of service with the IRS, I transferred to the US Postal Service. I absolutely love the Postal Service, as it was good to me. I met lots of wonderful people and had LOTS of FUN. Through it all, I worked hard at each job I held. I believe in doing the best you can to be efficient and having fun as well. Life is too short to hate your job. You may as well enjoy it and have fun at the same time. After 37 years of government service, I retired, and have had no regrets. Retirement is wonderful. Some people retire and then go back and work some more. Well I understand that; I retired from Girl Scouts and still I support and help out in many ways. For those who really know me, my camera is one of my best friends. I thank all of you for the smiles and the memories I have created throughout the years. Our family has very few pictures of us as children growing up. My parents couldn't afford to purchase the school pictures, and cameras could not be afforded. I made sure I had many pictures of my girls, family, friends and church members. You are welcome!!! LOL! It was my pleasure and one that I greatly enjoyed. I married and I remained married for 29 years at which time, J finally decided it was time for me to face reality and let it go. So after 32 years, I divorced. It takes two working together as one, enough said. Out of this marriage I birthed two wonderful daughters, Faith Leshea McNeill and Joy Charisse McNeill. They are everything to me. I kept them as active as possible. Since I was a cheerleader in college, they were cheerleaders beginning at age 6 through age 12 for Lewis Recreation football team. I ran up and down the field with the boys as if I had a son out there. Nope, just love me some football. That team was # 1 every year and I believe it remains #1 today. Yes, I love winning. Joy was a member of the band from grade 6 through her sophomore year of college. She did the college band just for me. I was the band head, not her. I still love the band today, so I follow Dudley and A&T's bands. I am so very proud of my girls. They both have graduated from undergrad colleges — Faith from UNC Chapel Hill and Joy from Virginia State. Now they are pursuing their dreams. I ask all my friends to look after and check on them. They are quite personal; I wonder where they got that from? They are very close and depend on each other. Of course, they both think they are my mama even though they still call me Mommie. Oh well, they've taught me a lot especially about electronics. Otherwise I would not have a clue and would still have my flip phone which I loved. They took it from me. I still use it as an alarm clock. I am a lifetime member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, where I serve faithfully. I love my church. Some people don't like big churches. Well, it started off small. I don't have a lot of big things, but I like big things and so do most people. I have ministered on the Junior Usher Board as Advisor, Gospel Choir, Mass Choir, Senior Usher Board, Girl Scout Leader and Coordinator, and now am the unofficial /official church photographer. I have been a member of Mount Zion since the little white church on Bingham Street with the baptismal pool in the back yard until today. I've had some good ol' times at Mount Zion, but most of all I love the Lord and confess Him as savior of my life. I don't know how anyone lives without Him in their life. I am also an active member of the Greensboro Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority where I serve as chapter photographer. I am the reigning Queen of the Greensboro Alumni Chapter of Livingstone College where I was presented with the Delores M. Johnson Memorial Award. This year I was also recognized by the YWCA of Greensboro as a member of the Class of 2019 Academy of SHEroes. In honor of my dedication, service, and willingness to Thrive, I was honored with the Butterfly Effect Award by Beautiful Butterflies, Inc. I was happy to receive these flowers while I was still alive. I leave to cherish my memories, my two daughters, Faith McNeill who now lives in Silver Spring, MD and Joy McNeill who lives with me (yay). I had 10 siblings; but at this time I have 5 living siblings- Mary Harris (Clay), Dorothy Payne (Bernard) of Wilson, NC, Paul Jones (Charisse), Kenneth Jones and Cynthia Jones. I leave my mom's sisters Aunt Lula Mae Page and Aunt Hattie Smith of Vidalia GA, and Uncle Charlie Williams of Mount Vernon, GA. I leave my Godchildren Kim Nelson-Fleming, Brandon Williams, and Christina Banks. I also leave many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. There is nothing like family. I Love and Cherish each member of my family, far and near. My Mommie thought it was very important for us to stay together and love each other for a lifetime. As I always say, 'You can't pick your family.' Yes, a lot of us have dysfunction in our families because there is no perfect family. We must lift each other up in prayer. I appreciate you Marcella and Glen for how you've supported me and my girls, and I know you will continue to do so. I appreciate all my supportive Girl Scout leaders, especially Marcella, Kimm and Chris. We've been together for a very long time and understand each other. I'm old enough to be their mother, but they respect me as their friend. I love my Line Sisters, Sorors, and friends. Thanks to my Line Dance family, Vall put up with me with my LOUD self. I love me some dancing and having fun. Everyone has been so supportive of me during my cancer battle and before that. To my sister Mary, thank you for being there every step of the way. To God be the Glory.

Mrs. Evelyn Jones McNeil passed on Sunday, November 24, 2019. A service honoring her life will be held at Mount Zion Baptist Church; 1301 Alamance Church Road, Greensboro, NC 27406 on Monday, December 2, 2019 beginning at 11:00am. The interment will take place following the service at Maplewood Cemetery; 235 Bingham St, Greensboro, NC 27401.