Samuel McNeil

Samuel Anderson McNeil, age 93, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024 at his home. Sam was born on September 8, 1930 in Neshoba County, Mississippi, a son of the late Floyd Andrew McNeil and the late Mary Luphelia White McNeil. Sam graduated from Philadelphia High School and enlisted in the US Navy. Sam served as an aviation engine mechanic and firefighter for his four years of service aboard the USS Block Island. Sam received the National Defence Service Medal for his service during the Korean War. Following his military service, Sam returned to Philadelphia, Mississippi and married his late wife, Mary Jayne Madison McNeil. Sam and Jayne moved to Starkville, Mississippi where he attended Mississippi State College, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. Sam worked with Union Carbide and Chemstrand prior to his employment with Monsanto Chemical Company, where he retired in December 1985. Sam and Jayne retired to Newland, North Carolina in September 1991. Sam was an active member at the Newland United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He devoted many years as a driver for Meals on Wheels and as a volunteer of many trades with Volunteer Avery County. He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Andrew McNeil and mother, Mary Luphelia McNeil, as well as his wife of 60 years, Mary Jayne Madison McNeil. Sam leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter, Mary Carol and her husband Richard Clark of Charlotte, NC; granddaughter, Madison and her husband Jordan Winbourne, and great-grandson Samuel, of Smithfield, NC; grandson, Anderson Clark and his fiancée Sarah von Schmeling of Harrisburg, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Sam's memory. A local service will be held at Newland United Methodist Church at a later date and then he will be laid to rest, alongside his wife, at Cook's Chapel in Neshoba County, Mississippi. Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the McNeil family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net The care of Samuel and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.Read Obituary