Dorothy Lee McNeil

A Time to Be Born:Dorothy Lee McNeil, daughter of the late Oren and Addie Emerson, was born in Bear Creek, North Carolina on February 5, 1922. She was the youngest of eight children. God called her home on October 23, 2002 after succumbing to aspiration pneumonia.A Time to Grow:Dorothy or “Judy,” as she was affectionately known, received her education in the Chatham County, North Carolina Public Schools. After graduating from high school, she moved to Baltimore. Although city life agreed with her, the old adage “you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl”, could not have been truer for Dorothy. This southern belle quickly won friends, earned a reputation as a people person, and always willing to share her good cooling, especially those sweet potato pies.A Time to Love:“ The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Winning the heart of “skeet” was a breeze, for Dorothy was not only good looking”, but she also had good cooking. On December 24, 1946, Dorothy wed her late husband Vergil “Skeet” McNeil, her best friend and romance. From this 45-year union, four children were born. She adored her husband and loved her family. She was a devoted, loving, and inspiring mother for her four children and ten grandchildren. Holidays, birthdays, or for no special occasion, Dorothy never missed and opportunity to entertain and share her love and delicacies with friends and family. 1901 Bentlou Street, “Family Central”, was the universe of the McNeil family.A Time to Serve:Dorothy’s love for people included the love for the students of Douglas High School, where she worked as a clerical assistant. She retired from Baltimore City Public School System in 1984 after twenty years of service. She loved the Lord. She became a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in 1946 where she was a member of the Courtesy Guild, Since 1971, she was a dedicated and longtime member and past Matron of Mount Zion Star Chapter 16, Naomi Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, And she also was a past member of affiliate departments.A Time to Mourn:Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory, continue her legacy, and rejoice at her triumphant entry into an eternal life of peace; her four children, Eloise, Arnold, Bradford, and Aaron; her daughter-in-laws, Vanessa McNeil and Delvon McNeil; her grandchildren, Bruce, Donna, Schedana, Ariette, Sean, Brad, Kelly, Aaron Jr., Kimberly, and Anthony; numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and many relatives and friends.

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Dorothy Lee McNeil

February 5, 1922 - October 23, 2002