January 8, 1937 – May 16, 2023
Theda “Louise” McNeill, 86, of Alvin, Texas, passed away on May 16, 2023. She was born January 8, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Louise lived with her grandmother Nettie until her death in 1950. Moving from the small town of Pitkin, Louisiana to Houston, Texas was a big change. She graduated from Charles H. Milby High School in 1954 and met and married the love of her life, James R. McNeill Sr. They settled into a house in Oak Meadows subdivision and started their family. After losing a child in 1963, Louise said, “It’s something you learn to live with, but you never get over.”
Always a very religious woman, she found a great church home in Forest Oaks Baptist. She and husband James even built their family’s beach house later in life out of the original church building. She was a constant volunteer for everything – GAs, Sunday school, civic clubs, scout leader, team mom, class mom, etc. If it involved her children, she was there. Growing up she wasn’t just our mom; she was mom to anyone who needed it.
Once she moved to Alvin, Louise found a new church home in South Park Baptist and loved her Women on Mission group. She also enjoyed her Nifty Fifty Lunch Bunch group from Milby. and was a regular participant in Relay for Life after battling and beating breast cancer in her late 60s.
When grandchildren came along, Louise was super excited to help by caring for them when she could and cheering them on at all events. This continued when great-grandchildren were born. They were a tremendous joy to her, and she could often be found with pictures ready to share.
She was preceded in death by husband James R. McNeill Sr, parents Irene and GD “Brock” Brockenbush, daughter Kathy Louise McNeill, and granddaughter Jacquiline Louise McNeill.
She is survived by children James R. McNeill Jr, Jeane Burns (Kenny), and Tammie Wallette (James); grandchildren Dustin Kirkley (Nicole), Kirstin Sherrell (Steven), Joshua Henemyer (Maggie), James D. McNeill, Bryce Wallette, Lacy Young (Cliff), and Kayla Floyd (Brian); great-grandchildren Austin, Lyla and Kaylin Kirkley, Chloe Floyd, Laklyn McNeill, Madison, Aubrey and Kyler Sherrell, and Arlo Henemyer; sister JoLane Harydzak and family (Ted, Teddy, Heather and Scott); and numerous cousins.
A visitation will be held Monday, May 22, 2023, from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546 (281) 992-7200. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 10:00 A.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home with interment to follow at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas.
Pallbearers will include Kenny Burns, James Wallette, Dustin Kirkley, Joshua Henemyer, Bryce Wallette, Brinton Miller, and Austin Kirkley.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to Omega House (mail checks to 602 Branard, Houston, Texas 77006) or Relay for Life Brazoria County relayforlife.org/northbrazoriacotx.
10 thoughts on “Theda Louise Willis McNeill”
Jmmie Jeane and Family – we are so very sorry for your loss. No matter how long we have our parents (which we were blessed to have them as long as we did) – it is never easy saying goodbye. We all remember your Momma – she was a hoot – with lots of love in her heart! We know you will all miss her – but they are never far away, just look up…plus you know we act them a little bit all the time!
Jeane, Tammy, James Robert and Families, I am so very sorry. I know your mom is where she wants to be and I hope that will give you peace. I will miss your mom. She was a huge part of my life from my earliest memories as our families were connected with church, school, scouts, soft ball, living exactly 2 blocks apart and Jimmie Jean being my best friend. I often called her Momma Louise and she was always around to encourage and correct me during my best and worst days. She also made it a point to be involved in special days that others would not think about. One example would be her calling me after my first day of teaching. She also let people know if it was a special thing for them it was special to her too. She lived life with her friends and family. As we all know she loved to talk and talk and talk. I loved that about her. She always told you like it was and never sugarcoated anything. You knew what she thought by what she would say or that cute smirky look she would make. She was an amazing Christian example for all of us. She is in Heaven with your Dad and sister and is probably sitting by the Crystal Sea enjoying the beach. Know that we love you and that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Love Deanna, Mike & family
To all Louise’s Family, you are in my prayers for peace and comfort.
Louise was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and dear friend. I loved visiting with Louise when we lived across the street from her in Oak Meadows . She and I would do flower deliveries for a florist on Valentine’s Day, always a fun day. When she moved to Alvin we would speak on the phone and exchange cards.
She was a wonderful friend and I know she was loved by many and will be missed, but I know she is now with her beloved Jimmy and they are happy once again.
R.I.P. dear friend
Linda Jones
Louise McNeil family. I am sorry for your loss but rejoicing at the same time for When we all get to Heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be! ( she probably sang that song in church several times) I will always remember her love for all her family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You never need wonder what she was thinking or how she felt about any matter. She was straight and to the point. I will miss sending her a Christmas card and also receiving one from her. What a comfort knowing she had a relationship with the Lord and us now with him. My prayer is that through her life she will bring others to know him as well.
Louise was a wonderful lady. She would send cards to me and my niece Rhiannon every holiday. Louise had always signed those cards "love Gradma Louise". She really did have a loving heart for everyone and she treated her younger family members and friends as if they were her own children. What an amazing lady!! She will be greatly missed.
I m so sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace with her passing . Louise was a very wonderful person and friend to our family I will never forget her . Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with y’all in the days and weeks to come .
Love
Sheri H Duke and family
It’s been many years since I’ve seen Louise but I remember her from Oak Meadows and from Forest Oaks Baptist Church. She came to visit us at our home on Forest Oaks Dr. Many times. My condolences to her family on their loss of such a wonderful lady.
Jimmy Jeane, Tammy, and James, You all were so blessed to have your mom so close to you. My heart aches for your loss. Louise was a beautiful women with the biggest heart and her love for our Lord shined everyday. I pray you cherish your memories of her, cherish your family, lean on each other for she brought you all together with all that love she shared. Many blessings to you and your family. Debbie and Travis Brinzow.
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