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2018 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 199
Celebrating the life of the Reverend James W. McNeil.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2018

 

WHEREAS, the Reverend James W. McNeil, a beloved husband, faithful member of New Mt. Zion Church of God Holiness, and a respected community leader who touched the lives of countless residents of South Norfolk, died on February 4, 2018; and

WHEREAS, born in 1920 in Parkton, North Carolina, Reverend McNeil worked as a minister in his youth and later settled in South Norfolk, where he was employed at Naval Station Norfolk; for many years, he also ran his own transportation company, McNeil’s Bus Service; and

WHEREAS, a quiet and humble leader who cared deeply for the residents of South Norfolk, Reverend McNeil served as president of the Southside Civic League for more than 40 years and was instrumental in numerous community initiatives related to affordable housing, voting rights, public utilities, and parks and recreation; and

WHEREAS, among other accomplishments, Reverend McNeil helped persuade the City of Chesapeake to make significant improvements to Cascade Boulevard Park, which was later renamed James W. McNeil Park in his honor in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Reverend McNeil also served the community as a board member for the Bank of Hampton Roads and as treasurer of the STOP Organization; and

WHEREAS, a man of deep and abiding faith, Reverend McNeil was a member of New Mt. Zion Church of God Holiness in Norfolk for over six decades and served its congregation as a minister, mass choir member, Sunday school teacher, food bank coordinator, finance committee member, and trustee; and

WHEREAS, through his wisdom, leadership, and tenacity, Reverend McNeil improved quality of life for numerous residents of South Norfolk and won the respect and admiration of the community; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his first wife, Lizzie Mae, Reverend McNeil will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife of three years, Yvonne, as well as many other family members, close friends, and South Norfolk residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend James W. McNeil, a committed spiritual and civic leader who tirelessly served the South Norfolk community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend James W. McNeil as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.