Miss Illinoise McNeal was born on July 29, 1924 in Florence County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Lonnie and Leola Davis McNeal. The Lord called her home on Monday, June 27, 2022.

Miss Illinoise accepted Christ at an early and became a member of the Aimwell Baptist Church in Pamplico, South Carolina. Although she was unable to attend, she had many fond memories of her time at Aimwell and maintained her membership there until her death.

Miss Illinoise was educated in the Florence County public schools. She was employed by the Southside Baptist Church in Florence, South Carolina and did private child care work for over forty years. She touched the lives of so many children and was dearly loved by those who worked with her. She was fondly referred to as "Miss Illy".

Miss Illinoise loved to cook meals for her family and friends. She was often called upon to provide meals for church functions and social events. One of her greatest joys was watching others enjoy what God had allowed her hands to prepared.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, John M. McNeal and Rudolph McNeal; four sisters Virginia McNeal, Buena McNeal Cochran, Dorothy McNeal and Augusteen McNeal.

She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She leaves to cherish her memory: one sister-in-law, Ethelyn McNeal of Florence, South Carolina; nephews, John R. McNeal (Elisha), Douglas A. McNeal and Eric D. McNeal (Erica), all of Florence South Carolina; nieces, Diane D. McNeal and Delores McNeal of Ossining, New York; a host of great-nephews, great-nieces other relatives and friends.