Joye Royal McNeill passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at the age of 84. She was born on July 21, 1932 in Cumberland County. She graduated from Central High School where she was honored with the school’s Citizenship Medal.
She was a homemaker who was adored by all who knew her for her giving spirit, sweet ready smile and humble character. She was adored by her family and was involved in all their lives always seeking to help whenever and wherever she could. Grandma Joye was their rock always encouraging and supporting each member of the family.
She served as an Air Force wife for 20 years, moving around the world with her husband and children. They found their way back to Raeford, in 1970 where she was active in her church, in the V.F.W. Women’s Axillary, Woodmen of the World and in Hoke County 4-H as a volunteer and leader. She retired from public work in 1992 as the Hoke County Emergency Management secretary.
She attended Raeford Presbyterian Church where she was a member of the John Knox Sunday School Class, Circle # 3, and Women of the Church where she was a Lifetime Member. She was also active in the church nursery, Vacation Bible School and Wednesday Night Bible Study.
She enjoyed life living with her sister Sudie Rutherford and her niece, Glenda Hayworth who helped her with care, laughter and love over the last year. She also leaves behind her precious Dachshund, Schotzie.
Her husband of more than 63 years, Floyd McNeill pre-deceased Joye as did her parents Vernon Royal and Grace Bain Royal, brothers Percy and Kenneth Royal, and sisters Ann Emannuel and Doris Royal.
She is survived by her children William McNeill and Mya Dyer of Hope Mills, Lynn McNeill Hendrix and her husband Gary of Raeford, Sharon McNeill Wood and her husband, Richard of Raeford; her grandchildren, Billy McNeill, Sarah McNeill, Mathew Hendrix, Evan Hendrix, Sydney Joye Hendrix, John Arthur Hendrix, Kathleen Wood and her husband Justin Whitley, and Peyton Wood; her great-grandchildren, Allyssa and Kaylee Allan, and Bailey, Hannah and Stacy Hendrix; her sisters, Sudie Rutherford of Raeford, and Georgianna Law of Dunnellon, Florida; her brothers, Franklin Royal and his wife Barbara of Fayetteville, Bill Royal and his wife Faye of Orlando, Florida, and Virginia McGranahan and her husband Dick of Brazil, Indiana.
A visitation will be held Friday, June 30, 2017 from 10-11 a.m. at Raeford Presbyterian Church in the John Ropp Fellowship Hall. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Raeford Presbyterian Church Building Fund, PO Box 1570, Raeford, NC 28376