Wilhelmina McNeil

WILHELMINA PETERSON McNEIL (PUDDIN) was born on September 6, 190 in Durham, North Carolina to the late Willie Edward Peterson and the late Melzie Lee Hinton Peterson. She departed this life on December 13, 2012 after a lengthy illness. Wilhelmina received her formal education from the Durham Public School System. After relocating to Baltimore, Maryland she furthered her education at Baltimore, City Community College, where she received her Associates of Arts Degree in 1971. Her determination shined through during this time as she balanced raising the four kids she already had, while also giving birth to her two youngest children somewhere in between. Shortly thereafter, she became employed with the Baltimore City Health Department as a Certified Dental Assistant II, where she worked for more than twenty-five years. Upon her retirement, family became her priority. However, she still managed to achieve her life-long dream, and in 2005 she graduated from Collin State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Arts. Wilhelmina’s commitment to family was apparent as she dedicated her time to caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was affectionately known as “MeMa,” a nickname given to her by her oldest grandchild, Myesha and she coined the phrase “Come here baby, let me hug your neck.” Even as her health began to deteriorate nothing would keep her from her family, as she cared for her great-grandchildren up until her last days. During this phase of her life many other children had the opportunity to experience her love and nurturing as Wilhelmina spent some time working at Hilton Elementary School. It was not uncommon for her to tend to children on a daily basis, whether it was her family or other neighborhood kids. Wilhelmina was preceded in death by: her son, James McNeil II; sisters, Delois Shurlock, Carolyn Whole and Thomasine Harris; granddaughter, Markita Magwood; and son-in-law, Markus Magwood. She is survived by: six children, Sheree Peterson, Jacqueline Johnson (James), Yvonne Magwood, Arlicia Pierson (Antonio), James McNeil III and Janice Sanders (Junius); five siblings, Anita Hinton-Brunson (James), Ava Hinton, Ernest Peterson, Delthy Hinton and Larry Hinton (Julia); fifteen grandchildren, Myesha, Michael Jr., Amanda, Jasmine, Rakicia, Marcus, James Jr., Kamaal, Jakeira, Bryan, Aryn, Javon, Kortney, Taylor and James IV; eight great-grandchildren, Semaje, Semaria, Kaleb, Corin, Khya, Jaden, Corren and Dylan; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Byford-Peterson; one cousin, truly a sister at heart, Gloria Hinton; four nephews, Lamont, Terence, Sean and Romel; five nieces, Lakisha, Cecilia, Miagra, Brittany and Tynita. Wilhelmina was also survived by two dear friends, Alice and Hilda; along with a host of other relatives and admirers.

Tributes

Wilhelmina McNeil

September 6, 1940 - December 13, 2012