Frances Haynie McNeil

October 1, 2013

Frances Haynie McNeil, age 90, originally of Pensacola, passed away early Thursday morning, September 26, 2013, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Tallahassee.

Mrs. McNeil was born near Eclectic in Elmore County, Alabama on July 14, 1923. She graduated from Atmore High School in 1942. She married James Robert McNeil, Chief USN, on November 24, 1944 at Ramona’s Marriage Place in San Diego, California. After having two children, a boy and a girl, at Bethesda Navy Hospital in Maryland she and her family eventually settled in Pensacola in 1956.

Mrs. McNeil was a lifelong member of the Warrington Baptist Church, The Order of The Eastern Star, and was a National Flower Show Judge. Later she went to college, earning an Associates of Arts degree at Pensacola Junior College in 1969, and, in 1972, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art at the University of West Florida.

In 2004, her home in Pensacola was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. Mrs. McNeil then moved to Tallahassee, to live with her son and daughter-in-law. Her health declined after a fall on July 1st of this year. “Miss Frances” or “Rainbow,” as her grandson named her, was lovingly cared for by her family, her doctors, the wonderful caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care, and many other private caregivers who were truly angels of comfort. Finally, her last days were blessed with the dedicated staff of Covenant Hospice.

Mrs. McNeil was preceded in death by her husband, James Robert McNeil, in 1999. She is survived by her son, Charles R. McNeil of Tallahassee; her daughter, Janice McNeil Wood, of Huntsville, Alabama; and her three grandchildren: Mack Turner Wood, Katrina Noelle Wood, and Marlena LaRue Wood, also of Huntsville.

Friends are invited to a visitation with reception at Oak Lawn Funeral on Monday September 30, 2013, from 5-7 p.m.

Graveside services will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday October 1, 2013, at Barrancas National Cemetery, and will go in procession from the funeral home at 10:30am.

Flowers are welcome, and donations may also be made in memory of Mrs. McNeil to: Frances Haynie McNeil Fund at The Warrington Baptist Church, 103 West Winthrop Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32507.

Oak Lawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries