Richard Mcneill

Rev. Richard Edison McNeill, son of Willie Douglas and the late Catherine McNeill, was born on January 25, 1953 in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

Rev. McNeill was raised by his maternal Great Aunt, Mrs. Annie Mae McNeill in Derita, NC, where he was affectionately known as “Duck”. He graduated from North Mecklenburg High School, where he was a member of several student organizations and an avid basketball player – a passion that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. A country boy at heart, Rev. McNeill was no stranger to working with his hands and was a professional at home renovations. He built this craft by working as a painter on a crew that served the Greater Charlotte region.

After high school, Rev. McNeill pursued higher education and became a proud graduate of the historically black Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC, receiving a Bachelor of Art in Psychology. In 1984, he then went on to receive a Master of Divinity from Johnson C. Smith Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. During his time in seminary, he met friends that became family and referred to him as “Mac”. He was ordained in 1985.

Rev. McNeill was a dedicated servant for 23 years. He began his career as an adult leader at Boys Town. He then served as a student assistant under the leadership of Rev. Dr. George Wilson, at Holbrook Street Presbyterian Church in Danville, VA. In 1986, he was ordained to preach the Gospel at Ben Salem Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC until 1991. Afterwards, he was called to lead the congregation at Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC from 1991 – 1996. While in Wilmington, he also worked at Cape Fear Community College in the IT department and acquired the hobby of dissembling and assembling computers. Looking to make a difference, Rev. McNeill, along with his wife, decided to relocate to Cincinnati, OH and pursue urban ministry as the pastor of West Cincinnati Presbyterian Church from 1996 until he retired in 2007. After the passing of his wife, he chose to return to Charlotte, NC and serve as temporary supply at New Hampton Presbyterian Church from 2008 - 2010.

Rev. McNeill was proud to have a large family. He was married to Gloria Pickett McNeill and that union produced one son, Richard Edison McNeill II. This marriage ended in divorce and he later married Joyce Elizabeth Gabriel McNeill on November 25, 1981. They were wed for 25 years until her passing on June 17, 2007. Together, Richard and Joyce raised Paris Rhèon and to this union five children were born: Alexander Louis, Adison Elizabeth, Jocelyn Constance-Christian, Neel Gabriel and EboniJoi Ilena. Often found laughing with family and friends, he had a great sense of humor, which he passed on to his children, grandchildren and exercised on his in-laws.

Preceding him in death was his mother, Catherine McNeill; his Great-Aunt Annie Mae McNeill and loving wife, Joyce Elizabeth Gabriel McNeill. Left to cherish his memory are his father, Willie Douglas of Laurinburg, NC and three sisters Deborah Douglas and Alice McLean of Charlotte, NC; and Kimberly Douglas of Raleigh, NC. Seven children: Paris Rhèon (Michael) Shoulars of Newark, NJ; Richard Edison (Estrica) McNeill II of Charlotte, NC; Alexander Louis (Khadedra) McNeill, Sr. of Cincinnati, OH; Adison Elizabeth (Khary) Nelson of Cincinnati, OH; Jocelyn Constance-Christian (Jeremy) Smith of Cincinnati, OH; Neel Gabriel (Evan) Martin of Chicago, IL; and EboniJoi Ilena McNeill of Philadelphia, PA. Warmly known as “Paw-Paw,” Rev. McNeill leaves seven grandchildren to mourn his loss: Alexander Louis, Jr., Jayden Lamar, Ethan Michael McNeill; Royce Elizabeth, Neilah Hènri Nelson; Oni Imara Smith; and Micah Khèon King Shoulars.