Louise Pelton McNeill

Virginia Beach - Louise Pelton McNeill passed on into God's kingdom on March 23, 2013. She was surrounded by love from her family near and far. Louise was born on August 8, 1934, in Clinton, IA to Ella Mueller and Robert Pelton. After high school she worked at a local bank before being given an opportunity to transfer with her job to New York City. She jumped at the chance for travel and a new challenge. She enjoyed living in the Big Apple for 10 years, where she worked primarily as a secretary for IBM. On June 10, 1967 she married Alexander McNeill, Jr. and raised a loving family in Virginia Beach. Louise was an avid bowler, bunko player and softball and tennis fan. Louise possessed an openness and ease that won over the hearts of strangers and those that cared for her into her later years. She will be remembered for her grace and kindness, strong will, deep faith and the time she took with her children and grandchildren, as well as her love for black coffee. Her grandchildren remember her for her love of chocolate doughnuts, licorice and for being always ready for a game of cards. Louise is survived by her five children and their spouses, Alexander McNeill of Mechanicsville, VA, Douglas McNeill of Raleigh, NC, Rebecca Puckett of Ashburn, VA, Laura McNeill of Madison, WI, and Kathryn DeChaine of Dallas, TX, 12 loving grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Lois Snyder of Lynn, IN, two sisters-in-law, Marge Pelton of McLean, Va and Cella Pelton of Houston, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Alexander McNeill (9/10/2011) and her three brothers, Bob Pelton, Gene Pelton and Bill Pelton. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2013 at the Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home on N. Witchduck. A Memorial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2013 at Thalia Trinity Presbyterian Church, 420 Thalia Road with Reverend Richard Goodman officiating. Burial will be at the Old Bluff Cemetery in Wade, NC with family members and close friends.