Celebrating the life of
June Miller McNeal
June 15, 1918 - October 25, 2013
June Miller McNeal, 95
June Adele Miller McNeal played her final round and headed to her 19th Hole reward to join her husband Frank H. McNeal, Sr., her brother Seth T. Miller and her parents on October 24, 2013. June was born in Hornell, NY on June 15, 1918 to Herman A. and Florence T. Miller. She is survived by her sons and their families, Richard & Cindy Ray and Robert & Cathy Ray; grandchildren Sallie R. Williams and husband Paul, Katherine R. Osteen and husband Greg, Elizabeth J. Ray, Jennifer Ortenzio and husband Derek Raimo, and Jeffrey Pickle; great-grandchildren Logan Osteen, Reid Williams, Cayden Hartman and Bryce Lynne Raimo; her nieces PJ Miller and Christine Irwin and her nephews Brian Miller and Jeffry Miller; and step-sons Frank McNeal, Jr. and William McNeal.
June was athletic and an excellent student. At the age of 16, in 1934, she became one of the youngest women to receive her private pilot's license. Graduating from high school in 1935 where she was a basketball player, she attended, and graduated from, Cornell University with a bachelor's degree from The College of Hotel Management, being one of only two women in her class. At her passing, she was the Grand Dame of the Savannah Ivy League Club. As her children will attest, she operated her household in the efficient style one would expect of such a graduate. June loved being a housewife and mother and reveled in her family. She assured that they received excellent educations, learned the value of hard work and discipline, and participated in a variety of athletics.
If you ever needed to find her, June was probably on the golf course. Golf was a daily enjoyment for her, and she excelled. She was the Club Champion on multiple occasions at Cypress Cove Country Club, Franklin, VA. When she married Frank and moved to Savannah in 1973, they made golf part of their daily routine. When The Landings was developed they were one of the first twenty families to move there. The prospect of four golf courses was too much to resist. Together with their friends Sonny and Doris McNeal they travelled extensively to challenging golf courses around the world, especially St. Andrews.
Always the consummate hostess, June was renowned for the parties she had and the events she organized. You knew if she invited you to a party it would be top shelf in every manner. She truly enjoyed being with her friends and their friends. It has been said about some people that they "never met a person they didn't know". With June, this was actually the truth. She frequently would embarrass her sons by introducing them to people that she may have just met, treating all of them as if they were lifelong friends. But, this always resulted in them getting to know the most interesting people everywhere. Frequently, as teens, she would attempt to arrange dates for her sons. When asked what the young lady looked like, June would always respond, "She has a great personality". You can imagine her sons' reaction to that! To this day, her sons and their families love to repeat that. June was never judgmental of others, always choosing to focus on their best characteristics.
June was always involved in her community, church and college serving as President of the Hospital Auxiliary and as a board member of Southampton Memorial Hospital, Elder and Council Member at Skidaway Island Community Church, board member Cypress Cove Country Club, board member Averett College Danville, VA, on the Cornell University Alumni Committee and as a member of The Virginia Garden Club.
A devout Christian, June served for many years as the Superintendent of Sunday School at Franklin, VA Baptist Church. She always prayed with her children every night and taught them about Jesus. Her church and her beliefs were always important to her throughout her life. There is no doubt that she is in the company of God today. In her later, declining years she was blessed to have excellent Christian care givers who were also her friends. With them caring for their mother, her sons, who live in other parts of the country and visited frequently, knew she was in the best place she could possibly be. These ladies are magnificent people for whom June and her family have been truly blessed to have as part of their family.
As we say not goodbye, but until we meet again, to June, Rich and Rob want to say how blessed we have been to have been chosen by June to be our mother. Of all the children she could have adopted she chose us. What a blessing and a treasure our mother was. We love you and will be with you again someday.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church conducted by Reverend Dr. Sam Henderson. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Cornell University Alumni Association.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
We will remember June with great fondness and the special memories we shared over the years of our friendship. We enjoyed many evenings together going to lectures, art exhibits, movies and dining adventures around town. We always laughed when June told us she enjoyed hanging out with us younger folks. Our condolences to her entire family. Sanders & Susan Corbit
- Sanders & Susan Corbit, Savannah, GA
My condolences go out to you all at the loss of a loving and loyal lady, your mother and step mother. I had the privilege of knowing and styling your mother's hair for 36 years, and sharing a friendship with her all those years. She will be greatly. Sincerely, Donna Allen and her many friends at my beauty shop.
- Donna Dee Allen, savannah, GA
My pray with the family, ms mcneal will alway be in my heart.
- lucinda mcclain, savannah, GA
I knew June through the Kappa Alpha Theta group on Skidaway Island. She was always a fascinating lady with whom to share some time. Any luncheon was always fun when June was in attendance. Even though I am no longer in Savannah, I still have fond memories of June at Theta events. God Bless her.
- Joan Hug, Memphis, TN
To the McNeal Family, Although I did not personally know Ms. McNeal, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest sympathy to your family. No doubt the loss of such a dear loved one will be felt by many. But please take comfort in the fact that sickness and death will soon be things of the past. The Bible promises that Jehovah God 'will actually swallow up death forever, and....wipe the tears from all faces.' Isaiah 25:8
- Mrs. Khan, , GA
So sorry to hear of June's passing. I met June when we first moved to Franklin in 1959 and have enjoyed being her friend all these years. She was quite a woman. My sympathies to Rob and Rich.
- BETTYE PIETTE, SAVANNAH, GA
Dearest June, it was my privilege to know you for much too short a time. Your enthusiasm for life and the way you embraced friends, old and new, was apparent the moment we met. If you happen to see Mom at the'19th Hole' give her our love. Thank you for giving us your friendship.
- Lynn Powelson, Savannah, GA
We will remember June with great fondness and the special memories we shared over the years of our friendship. We enjoyed many evenings together going to lectures, art exhibits, movies and dining adventures around town. We always laughed when June told us she enjoyed hanging out with us younger folks. Our condolences to her entire family. Sanders & Susan Corbit
- Sanders & Susan Corbit, Savannah, GA
My condolences go out to you all at the loss of a loving and loyal lady, your mother and step mother. I had the privilege of knowing and styling your mother's hair for 36 years, and sharing a friendship with her all those years. She will be greatly. Sincerely, Donna Allen and her many friends at my beauty shop.
- Donna Dee Allen, savannah, GA
My pray with the family, ms mcneal will alway be in my heart.
- lucinda mcclain, savannah, GA
I knew June through the Kappa Alpha Theta group on Skidaway Island. She was always a fascinating lady with whom to share some time. Any luncheon was always fun when June was in attendance. Even though I am no longer in Savannah, I still have fond memories of June at Theta events. God Bless her.
- Joan Hug, Memphis, TN
To the McNeal Family, Although I did not personally know Ms. McNeal, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest sympathy to your family. No doubt the loss of such a dear loved one will be felt by many. But please take comfort in the fact that sickness and death will soon be things of the past. The Bible promises that Jehovah God 'will actually swallow up death forever, and....wipe the tears from all faces.' Isaiah 25:8
- Mrs. Khan, , GA
So sorry to hear of June's passing. I met June when we first moved to Franklin in 1959 and have enjoyed being her friend all these years. She was quite a woman. My sympathies to Rob and Rich.
- BETTYE PIETTE, SAVANNAH, GA
Dearest June, it was my privilege to know you for much too short a time. Your enthusiasm for life and the way you embraced friends, old and new, was apparent the moment we met. If you happen to see Mom at the'19th Hole' give her our love. Thank you for giving us your friendship.
- Lynn Powelson, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
