Patricia Ann Smith-Hilliard McNeil

Patricia A. Smith-Hilliard McNeil of Clinton, Maryland, formerly of Washington, D.C. passed away peacefully on July 7, 2021 at Georgetown University Hospital. Patricia was born August 19, 1956 and was the baby of two children born to Helen and Richard G. Smith, Sr.

Patricia was christened at St. Lucille AME Zion church as a baby and remained a true follower of Christ throughout her life. Her desire to make a difference for others continued after her passing as her corneas were donated to The Washington Regional Transplant Community. Her brain tissue was donated to The Georgetown Brain Bank. She continues to exemplify her Christianity in her care for others and her willingness to go above and beyond when someone was in need.

Tricia loved the Lord and would rejoice in hearing and singing her favorite Gospel songs. As a teenager and young adult, she was a member of the St. James Community Choir along with her mother. As she got older and had more school responsibilities, she along with her sister became the errand runner for her mother. Ma’s joy was the annual Senior’s Christmas luncheon that she coordinated. But Tricia and Angela became the foot runners who had the responsibility of taking the food out and deliver it to the waiting seniors. Ma made sure she schooled us on what time she wanted us there; how she wanted the plates delivered; how we were to clean up; and, when we were finished. Tricia always laughed about how we seemed to be doing all the foot-work while the kitchen crew delivered orders, ate, stored their food for home and told us what to do. Although she tried to have something scheduled for that 1st Saturday of December date, there was no way out of the commitment.

Patricia attended D.C. Public Schools at J.C. Nalle, Kelly Miller and H.D. Woodson Senior High School. After her graduation in 1974, she attended Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts for one year. She transferred to The Catholic University of America in her sophomore year. It was at Catholic that Patricia pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in the Fall of 1976. Along with her four- line sisters, she became a member on January 30, 1977. It was her thrill to finally become a “Delta Dear” when she turned 62. Celebrating 44 years, Patricia was a financial member of the Fort Washington Alumnae Chapter.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, she then attended the George Washington University and received her Masters of Education in Special Education-Early Childhood in 1979. She began her phenomenal teaching career in St. Mary’s County at Oakville Elementary School. She became good friends with Marvetta who became her riding up and down the road partner as teaching colleagues. After teaching there for several years, she wanted to be closer to home for her mother and joined the teaching staff at Shaw Junior High School. Dr. Percy Ellis always commended Patricia about her professionalism and exceptional teaching strategies. Her first love, however, was working with younger students and in 1993, she began teaching special education at Miner Elementary School. She was a firm and caring teacher and supportive colleague. She served as a grade level chairperson; member of the local school restructuring team; mentor to train teachers and for new teachers; and, member of numerous committees. She was most proud of being recognized in the Standing Ovation Ceremony for DCPS teachers.

Patricia retired from Miner after teaching for 30 years in December 2013. She often laughed about her last day teaching before the Winter Break: “I got my purse--and like George Jefferson—cut off the lights, shut the door and left everything behind me.” She said that she didn’t want any celebration to highlight her career. But of course, a few of the girls got together to treat her to a manicure and surprise Hi-Tea at the Jefferson Hotel.

During the summers, Tricia still worked. For many years, she was the Assistant Director-in-Charge of Discovery Plus Camp. This camp operated primarily by word of mouth and each year had 200+ students. Camp for those who knew it was so much fun. One thing we never had to worry about was discipline problems because the kids had so much fun and didn’t want to have to go home. The staff was one big family that loved and took care of each other. We had the seniors to feed us; each other to nurture our relationships; and created forever friendships that have lasted a lifetime. We were a no-nonsense operation. When we said close at 6p.m., we meant it. It was so funny seeing the cars coming into the parking lot on 2-wheels to avoid the late fee.

In 1981, she married Cleveland Hilliard and was blessed with her daughter Tricialand. Although this marriage was dissolved, Patricia’s life totally revolved around her love for her daughter.

In 1988, she met the true love of her life, James McNeil. James courted Tricia in the old-fashioned ways and treated her as his Queen. James quickly became part of the family and in 1989 moved with the family to Clinton, Maryland. After many, many years of saying no, she consented to become his bride on January 25, 2002. Together for 32 years, James took exceptional care of his wife, daughter and mother-in-law. Ma especially loved the time she spent with her son-in-law James who retired from work to come home and care for her. As we all know, he lived and breathed Patricia. He insisted upon driving her to and from work every day; to each and every doctor appointment; and, to arranging their special get-always to the Hampton Inn and Maryland Live Casino. They cherished their Friday date nights/days at the AM movies, lunch at Cheddars or dinner at Topolino. James enjoyed surprising her with tickets to see her favorite singers, especially Frankie Beverly and Maze. She was the “Peanut Butter” and James was the “Jelly”. They made a special sandwich filled with love. James says all the time, “Tricia is the love of my life, my soulmate!”

Anyone close to Patricia knew how proud she was of Tricialand. As she received her Bachelor’s degree at Hampton, her Master’s at Bowie and her Doctorate at Argosy, Tricia beamed with joy. She was eager to share that joy with everyone! But she was most proud that Tricialand met a good man to become her husband, Erick. Tricia always remarked that she was so happy for Tricialand that she too would have someone to take care of her as James did as her father. She beamed when the engagement happened and nothing was more endearing to her when Tricialand decided to marry after her mom’s cancer returned after a long remission. Tricia made sure that everything was done in the right way and talked and talked to all who would listen about how happy she was. But nothing in the world made her happier than when she found out that she was going to be a Grandma. That became her incentive to fight the metastatic cancer with all she had. She made sure that she got the vaccine and the whooping cough vaccine to be ready to meet that little bundle of joy, BJ who was born in February 2021. Although she didn’t have her full strength, she delighted in taking care of her grandbaby. She and James packed their bags, prepared their meals as they took their many field trips to see BJ. She was so excited about her BJ baby book and Grandma scrapbook pages that her sister made for her. She carried them to her doctor’s appointments and everywhere she went to share with others. She loved her family!

Tricia was an avid Washington Redskins, Washington Nationals, and the Washington Wizards sports team fan. She loved listening to her mom get so excited about her favorite sports players. Because of Ma, Tricia had the opportunity to meet Bradley Beal who Ma always called her son. Tricia became the caregiver for Ma’s beloved dog Dusty. Dusty is such a sensitive dog that knew Patricia was sick and he was right at her side sensing her needs.

Patricia is survived by her beloved husband, James; loving daughter, Tricialand M. Tyrone (Erick) and adopted daughters (Tanya, Lia, Jocelyn, LeTea and Brittany); sweet grandson, Erick Booker-James “BJ”; her loving brothers Richard George, Jr. (Bernice), Raymond (Novella), Christopher, Michael, Tony (Elaine); her cherished sisters Angela, Cheryl and Michelle(Barron); precious nieces: Shannon, Amber (Melvin), Dana, Tiffany, Tasha (Marco), Tracy(Beto), Malaysia and Chantel (Chan) and nephews: Christopher, Richard III (Jennifer), Ramon (Mae Lin), Rashad, Arlen, Javier, Marques and Michael II (Jennifer); her precious great-nieces and great-nephews; doting doggie Dusty; brother-in-law David; devoted cousins and other family members; her dedicated sister circle (Alma, Cassandra, Portia, Selethia, Valoria and Victorie); her cherished line sisters (Terri, Karen and Bertley) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority FWAC Sorors; her many students, close friends and colleagues.