Mary "Virginia" Neill

Virginia grew up in Eudora and graduated from Eudora High School in 1943. She and her sister, Betty, went to college in Fayetteville. They traveled by train to get there, it was exciting! She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1947 with a degree in Home Economics. Later on, Virginia completed her masters degree in early childhood education at UALR. In June of 1948, she married Hoyt Neill and were married for 69 years.

----Virginia’s first job out of college was in Newport, AR teaching home economics. She then married and moved to Little Rock. Virginia taught home economics at Central High School and later on, she taught early childhood education at Parkview Arts Magnet. Virginia had several clubs she belonged to. She was a member of the DAR, NEA, The Jamestown Society, ARTA, PEO, the Colonial Dames and she was co-founder of the Society of Delphi. She also participated in the Painted Valley Garden Club. Virginia and Hoyt were members of St. Paul Methodist Church and St. James United Methodist Church.

Besides her parents, Virginia was predeceased in death by her husband, Hoyt Neill, sister Betty Jeanne Cochran Barge and her husband, Carroll Barge. Survivors include her daughter Melinda (Chris) de la Vergne and her children, Virginia (Alex Adams) Paralee de la Vergne and Philip Neill de la Vergne all of Natchez, MS. and her son Randall (Janet) Bourke Neill of Little Rock Also included are her niece, Janet (Bob) Barge Pack and great niece and nephew, Elizabeth Pack Gardner and Robert Pack of Lonoke, Patrick Barge (Vickie) of Scott and Allen Barge (Anne) of Greenfield, TN.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 20th at 2 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR.

The family would like to thank Presbyterian Village for the care she received through the years. The family would also like to thank Gentiva Hospice Care

for their service during Virginia’s end of life.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Little Rock Office,

11300 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR. 72212

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com for the Neill family.